Bad news in a good way: clinicians' experiences of communicating the diagnosis and prognosis of prolonged disorder of consciousness to relatives

Shapiro, Amy; Quinn-Thomas, Fran; Hunter, Susan

Abstract

Background:
Sensitive and effective communication is essential when delivering difficult information to families of people with prolonged disorders of consciousness (PDOC); however, clinicians' experiences and strategies to improve the experience are under-reported.

Aims:
Explore clinicians' experiences of communicating difficult information to relatives of people with PDOC, and their strategies to improve the experience for themselves and relatives.

Methods:
Semi-structured online interviews with clinicians experienced in working with people with PDOC. Recorded data were transcribed verbatim and analysed using thematic analysis.

Findings:
From eight interviews, themes were identified in two categories: experiences (responsibility, diagnostic uncertainty, and grief); and strategies (creating a shared understanding of PDOC and rehabilitation for PDOC patients, creating trust, and educational strategies).

Conclusions:
Support for clinicians to facilitate optimal communication with relatives of people with PDOC remains under-explored, but is a fertile area for further research, with potential to reduce the emotional burden on clinicians and relatives.

Citation

Shapiro, A., Quinn-Thomas, F., & Hunter, S. (2025). Bad news in a good way: clinicians' experiences of communicating the diagnosis and prognosis of prolonged disorder of consciousness to relatives. British Journal of Neuroscience Nursing, 21(1), https://doi.org/10.12968/bjnn.2024.0008

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: May 28, 2024
• Online Publication Date: Mar 8, 2025
• Publication Date: Feb 2, 2025
• Deposit Date: Jun 18, 2024
• Publicly Available Date: Aug 3, 2025
• Journal: British Journal of Neuroscience Nursing
• Print ISSN: 1747-0307
• Publisher: Mark Allen Healthcare
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 21
• Issue: 1
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.12968/bjnn.2024.0008
• Public URL: https://keele-repository.worktribe.com/output/852715
• Additional Information: Authors:; Shapiro A, Quinn-Thomas F, Hunter SM