As I study for this Clinical Skills exam, I am definite one of the cases I will be tested on is how I break bad news to patients. I came across a few videos that is helping me prepare for this…
SPIKES:
S: Setting up (calm setting, establishing rapport)
P: Patient’s perception (find out what the patient knows)
I: Invitation (what does the patient want to know, how much does she/he want to know)
K: Knowledge (delivery of news in a sensitive, informative, honest way)
E: Emotions and empathy (what concerns does the patient have? acknowledge emotions. Be supportive.)
S: Strategy and summary (get pt’s input. support system? find out what can I do for him/her? offer to help talk to the family. assure patient I am here to answer any questions..)
Life & Medicine 
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