Assessing patients´ preferences for breaking Bad News according to the SPIKES-Protocol: the MABBAN scale. Issue 8 (August 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: von Blanckenburg, Pia; Hofmann, Mareike; Rief, Winfried; Seifart, Ulf; Seifart, Carola
• Is Part Of: Patient education and counseling. Volume 103:Issue 8(2020)
• Page Start: 1623
• Page End: 1629
• Publication Date: 2020-08
• Subjects: Breaking bad news -- Patients´Preferences -- Cancer -- Assessment -- Oncology -- SPIKES -- Patient-Provider communication; Patient education -- Periodicals; Health counseling -- Periodicals; Health education -- Periodicals; Counseling -- Periodicals; Patient Education -- Periodicals; Éducation des patients -- Périodiques; Counseling -- Périodiques; Éducation sanitaire -- Périodiques; 615.5071
• DOI: 10.1016/j.pec.2020.02.036
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0738-3991

Abstract

Highlights: The MABBAN detects the preferences of patients for breaking bad news communication. The questionnaire supported the six SPIKES-steps of breaking bad news. Physicians should improve the setting. They should share knowledge in clarity, and involve patients in further planning. Breaking bad news might benefit by taking into account demographical variables Abstract: Objective: Quality of breaking bad news can seriously affect the course of disease. A frequently applied guideline is the SPIKES-Protocol that have been designed from the physician's perspective. Little is known about patients' preferences in breaking bad news. Our aim was to develop a questionnaire based on the SPIKES-protocol to detect patients´ preferences for breaking bad news communication. Methods: TheMa rburg B reaking Ba d N ews Scale (MABBAN) was developed and administered to 336 cancer patients. We used exploratory factor analysis. To examine potential relationships according to demographic and medical variables, regression analyses were conducted. Results: The novel questionnaire supported the six SPIKES-components of breaking bad news: Setting, Perception, Invitation, Knowledge, Emotions, and Strategy. Perception and Invitation clustered together to one subscale. Depending on clinical and demographic variables different components were rated as important. Conclusion: Communication preferences in breaking bad news can be assessed using a SPIKES-based questionnaire. Physicians should improve the setting, share knowledge in all clarity, involve the patients in further planning, and consider demographical variables. Practice implications: Using SPIKES as a framework can optimize breaking bad news conversations but it seems important to emphasize the individual preferences beyond the six steps and tailor the communication process to the individual.