The other side of breaking bad news

This was heartbreaking to read, and I commend Dr. Chis for writing this article. It would have been very emotional for her to pen this; she has done an excellent job. I hope that every Physician who reads this learns to be a much better caregiver and 'bad news' messenger as a result. Amongst all the decades of changes in medical school curricula, many schools have focused more effort at teaching communication skills and empathy. Students and Residents are also being taught to climb down from a privileged pedestal, to 'team manage' their patients' efforts to regain health. Physicians-in-training are being taught to 'partner' with their patient and the patient's family, during that journey. We should not be reading articles lamenting Physicians mismanaging the care of any patient but in particular their colleagues, spouses or family members. This was very difficult for me to read as it brought back memories of my own diagnosis of a brain tumor almost 30 years ago, following my presentation to the ER with sudden alarming symptoms. The specialist who was called to see me appeared to think I was fabricating my symptoms, openly suggested STD as a possible diagnosis based on his own biased assumptions of my work, and suggested I could order my own MRI as I would very likely get the needed imaging booked faster than he could. That is exactly what I did, and this is not unlike the unreasonable requests made of Dr. Chis by some of her thoughtless colleagues. In my case, I had bled into a large tumor at the base of my brain and that is why my symptoms were sudden and acute. I can hardly imagine how difficult things have been for Dr. Chis and her husband, with their roller coaster of thoughtless miscommunication. I thank Dr. Chis for writing this very poignant article. It is embarrassing to think that Physicians still need to be taught empathy and communication skills their patients have every right to expect, especially from their colleagues. Bless you and your husband for sharing this timeless message with the medical profession.