Cómo se dan las malas noticias de enfermedad terminal por un grupo médico no especializado en cuidados paliativos.

Materials and methods: An observational prospective and transverse study was performed in residents of the internal medicine program at the INCMNSZ. The questionnaire included 21 items that allowed the evaluation and categorization of the following aspects related to the delivery of bad news: previous information, first experience, emotional impact, accordance with basic concepts, communication with the patient, self-critical evaluation, personal experience, and willingness to receive training. Results: Fifty-six percent of the surveyed residents had never received information or training in bad news delivery; and only 8.0% communicated that they had received in their judgment an adequate or complete training, for the most part during medical school. Of the surveyed residents 96% considered that patients should know their diagnosis and prognosis; however, only 38.0% of residents referred having queried patients the extent to which they wished to know their prognosis. The majority reported disclosing the diagnosis directly to the patient; only 8% considered it correct to solely inform the responsible family member. Fifty-six percent of surveyed residents consider their capacity to deliver bad news as poor to regular. Of the surveyed residents 100% reported that they would like to be informed in case of terminal disease. Only 58.0% of surveyed residents have had an experience in receiving bad news and it had a positive impact on the majority of them. Eighty-percent of surveyed residents admitted that they needed training in this topic. Conclusions: As in other countries, this survey shows how training in bad news disclosure in Mexico is scarce among specialists. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]