Delivering Bad News: Should Physicians Express their Emotions?

The traditionally assumed medical dictum is that a physician who expresses his or her emotions in font of patients or their families is almost deemed unprofessional. This feeling may be common place, particularly among traditional physicians who still hold the belief that professionalism is endangered if physicians deliver bad news laced with their true emotions. Discussion of this important topic surfaces now and then and are then hidden away without definite answers possibly due to lack of attention by physician's fraternity to dispense with this out-of-date dictum. Though we understand the protection of professionalism is the basis for this practice, the topic is rarely revisited because the community of physicians remains distant from this sensitive issue, in spite of its importance in achieving high care satisfaction from patients and their families. In view of the increased emphasis on enhancing patients’ hospital experiences and satisfaction, the demonstration of sensitivity on the part of physicians in some form as a component of their compassionate care may require renewed attention.