Book: Communication and Professional Relationships in Healthcare Practice
Chapter: 8.1 Introduction 8.2 Issues arising in the delivery of news 8.3 Some discourse strategies used when delivering news 8.4 Strategies used in the delivering of bad news 8.5 Discourse strategies used in the structuring of news delivery 8.6 Summary
Blurb:
This chapter discussesthe complexities involved in delivering bad
news, and have found that in most instances the disclosure of bad news does not ‘just happen’. The discourse is interactionally structured and strategic to ensure that the desired outcomes in difficult situations are achieved. The difficulties confronted by the deliverer of bad news are highlighted when these outcomes have not been achieved, exemplified in a situation where the delivery is stalled.