Preventive Care in Nursing and Midwifery
Volume 16, Issue 2 (4-2026)
Prev Care Nurs Midwifery 2026, 16(2): 60-69 |
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Ethics code: IR.MUK.REC.1404.109
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Abbas Abdulriha K, Bagheri Saveh M I, Mohammad Jasim A, Vatandost S. Comparison of Healthcare Providers' Practices and Patients' Attitudes Toward Breaking Bad News: A Single-Center Study. Prev Care Nurs Midwifery 2026; 16 (2) :60-69
URL: http://nmcjournal.zums.ac.ir/article-1-1036-en.html
URL: http://nmcjournal.zums.ac.ir/article-1-1036-en.html
Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Research Institute for Health Development, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj,Iran , ggg@yahoo.com
Abstract: (458 Views)
Background: Breaking bad news (BBN) is a challenging communication process that requires skill, training, and sensitivity to patients' cultural values. However, limited evidence exists on whether healthcare providers' practices align with patients' attitudes.
Objectives: This study aimed to compare healthcare providers' practices with patients' attitudes regarding the delivery of bad news.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at Marjan Hospital in Babylon, Iraq, from September to October 2025. A total of 167 hospitalized patients who had received bad news were recruited using quota sampling. Data were collected through a demographic questionnaire and two self-report questionnaires assessing healthcare providers' performance and patients' attitudes toward breaking bad news. The data were entered into SPSS version 21 and analyzed using descriptive statistics and Pearson's correlation coefficient.
Results: The mean (SD) scores for healthcare providers' performance and patients' attitudes were 8.97 (2.01) out of 19 and 62.19 (2.30) out of 76, respectively. No significant correlation was found between the total scores of healthcare providers' performance and patients' attitudes (r = −0.14, p = 0.14), although significant correlations were observed for several individual items.
Conclusion: The findings showed significant differences between patients' attitudes and healthcare providers' performance in several aspects of breaking bad news. These findings highlight the need for educational programs and culturally sensitive communication strategies to better align clinical practice with patients' preferences.
Objectives: This study aimed to compare healthcare providers' practices with patients' attitudes regarding the delivery of bad news.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at Marjan Hospital in Babylon, Iraq, from September to October 2025. A total of 167 hospitalized patients who had received bad news were recruited using quota sampling. Data were collected through a demographic questionnaire and two self-report questionnaires assessing healthcare providers' performance and patients' attitudes toward breaking bad news. The data were entered into SPSS version 21 and analyzed using descriptive statistics and Pearson's correlation coefficient.
Results: The mean (SD) scores for healthcare providers' performance and patients' attitudes were 8.97 (2.01) out of 19 and 62.19 (2.30) out of 76, respectively. No significant correlation was found between the total scores of healthcare providers' performance and patients' attitudes (r = −0.14, p = 0.14), although significant correlations were observed for several individual items.
Conclusion: The findings showed significant differences between patients' attitudes and healthcare providers' performance in several aspects of breaking bad news. These findings highlight the need for educational programs and culturally sensitive communication strategies to better align clinical practice with patients' preferences.
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Knowledge Translation Statement
Audience: Nursing managers and clinical educators
Providers followed less than half of recommended bad-news practices, mismatching patient preferences on privacy, empathy, and gradual disclosure. Managers may consider integrating culturally adapted communication training such as SPIKES into continuing education.
Type of Study: Orginal research |
Subject:
Multidisciplinary
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