THE ATTITUDE OF PATIENTS AND FAMILIES TOWARD THE DELIVERY OF BAD NEWS IN ONCOLOGY WARDS

Bad news is one of the major challenges for cancer patients. The present study
was conducted to investigate the attitudes of cancer patients and their families toward the diagnosis of
cancer admitted to hospitals affiliated to Ardebil University of Medical sciences.
Materials & Methods: A total of 196 cancer patients and their families (including 62 family members
of cancer patients, 76 adult patients and 58 child patients) who were admitted to the oncology wards of
Imam and Bu-Ali hospitals in Ardebil were selected by convenient sampling method. Data were
collected using a questionnaire containing six dimensions, including the suitability of the person, the
time and the place for delivering the bad news, amount of information disclosed, acceptance, and factors
affecting the delivery of bad news, plus a section on demographic details. The questionnaire was
completed by the researchers through interviews.
Results: Significant differences were found between age and attitude in all three groups regarding
acceptance of the bad news (p=0.045). In the dimension of suitability of time for delivering bad news,
children’s families had a better attitude than families of adult patients and adult patients themselves
(intergroup difference:0.017), but they had a poorer attitude than the other two groups with regard to
factors affecting delivery of bad news (intergroup difference: 0.007). Female patients had poorer attitude
toward the place for delivery of bad news (p=0.046). Family members of adult patients with higher
education showed poorer attitude toward the bearer of the bad news (p=0.009), and those with higher
income had a better attitude toward timing of the bad news (p=0.046). Those living in privately owned
houses had a better attitude toward suitability of the place for the delivery of bad news (p=0.043) and
the amount of information provided (p=0.043). Families of patients with acute diseases showed better
attitudes toward the amount of information provided (p=0.033). Employed family members of pediatric
patients accepted the bad news better (p=0.04).
Conclusion: The results showed no significant differences between the attitudes of adult patients and
their families and families of pediatric patients. The attitude differences were observed between groups
in certain demographic variables. Therefore the socioeconomic and demographic backgrounds of the
person should be considered when delivering the bad news.