RESUMO
ABSTRACT CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: Breaking bad news is one of doctors' duties and it requires them to have some skills, given that this situation is difficult and distressful for patients and their families. Moreover, it is also an uncomfortable condition for doctors. The aim of this study was to evaluate doctors' capacity to break bad news, ascertain which specialties are best prepared for doing this and assess the importance of including this topic within undergraduate courses. DESIGN AND SETTING: Observational cross-sectional quantitative study conducted at a university hospital in Belo Horizonte (MG), Brazil. METHODS: This study used a questionnaire based on the SPIKES protocol, which was answered by 121 doctors at this university hospital. This questionnaire investigated their attitudes, posture, behavior and fears relating to breaking bad news. RESULTS: The majority of the doctors did not have problems regarding the concept of bad news. Nevertheless, their abilities diverged depending on the stage of the protocol and on their specialty and length of time since graduation. Generally, doctors who had graduated more than ten years before this survey felt more comfortable and confident, and thus transmitted the bad news in a better conducted manner. CONCLUSION: Much needs to be improved regarding this technique. Therefore, inclusion of this topic in undergraduate courses is necessary and proposals should be put forward and verified.
RESUMO CONTEXTO E OBJETIVO: Dar más notícias, além de dever do médico, requer certas habilidades de sua parte, por se tratar de situação difícil e angustiante para o paciente e seus familiares, assim como desconfortável para os profissionais da saúde. O objetivo deste estudo é avaliar a capacidade dos médicos em dar más notícias, assim como as especialidades mais preparadas e a importância da inclusão do tema para a graduação. TIPO DE ESTUDO E LOCAL: Estudo observacional, transversal, quantitativo, realizado em hospital universitário de Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brasil. MÉTODOS: Este estudo utilizou de questionário baseado no protocolo SPIKES que foi respondido por 121 médicos deste hospital universitário. O questionário investigou suas atitudes, posturas, modos e medos em relação a dar más notícias. RESULTADOS: A maioria dos médicos não teve problemas quanto ao conceito de más notícias, contudo, as habilidades divergiram dependendo da etapa do protocolo, assim como quanto a especialidade e tempo de formado. De modo geral, os médicos formados há mais de 10 anos se sentem mais confortáveis e confiantes, e transmitem tal informação de maneira mais bem conduzida. CONCLUSÃO: Muito se tem a aprimorar em relação a essa técnica. Desse modo, a inclusão do tema durante a graduação é necessária e propostas devem ser sugeridas e averiguadas.
Assuntos
Humanos , Masculino , Feminino , Adulto , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Relações Médico-Paciente , Revelação da Verdade , Brasil , Estudos Transversais , Inquéritos e QuestionáriosRESUMO
CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE:: Breaking bad news is one of doctors' duties and it requires them to have some skills, given that this situation is difficult and distressful for patients and their families. Moreover, it is also an uncomfortable condition for doctors. The aim of this study was to evaluate doctors' capacity to break bad news, ascertain which specialties are best prepared for doing this and assess the importance of including this topic within undergraduate courses. DESIGN AND SETTING:: Observational cross-sectional quantitative study conducted at a university hospital in Belo Horizonte (MG), Brazil. METHODS:: This study used a questionnaire based on the SPIKES protocol, which was answered by 121 doctors at this university hospital. This questionnaire investigated their attitudes, posture, behavior and fears relating to breaking bad news. RESULTS:: The majority of the doctors did not have problems regarding the concept of bad news. Nevertheless, their abilities diverged depending on the stage of the protocol and on their specialty and length of time since graduation. Generally, doctors who had graduated more than ten years before this survey felt more comfortable and confident, and thus transmitted the bad news in a better conducted manner. CONCLUSION:: Much needs to be improved regarding this technique. Therefore, inclusion of this topic in undergraduate courses is necessary and proposals should be put forward and verified.