When meeting a patient with advanced lung cancer, how would you balance maintaining hope with giving a realistic outlook?
Specialty-Specific
Purpose
This question checks how well you can communicate tough news while being empathetic. It’s about showing you can be honest about a serious illness while still offering comfort and hope.
Tips
- Start by understanding the patient's current knowledge and feelings. Ask open-ended questions.
- Use clear, simple language and break down information into small, digestible parts.
- Reframe hope to focus on achievable goals, like comfort and quality of life, rather than just a cure.
Common mistakes
- Don’t just throw facts at them without checking how they’re feeling or understanding.
- Avoid being overly optimistic or pessimistic; find a balance between hope and realism.
- Steer clear of using medical jargon or euphemisms that might confuse or mislead the patient.