Receiving Bad News: Experiences of Family Members

Abstract

Little is known about how next-of-kin experience receiving bad news. The aim of this study was to explore the experiences of family members when receiving information about ending tumour treatment, with a focus on their role in this context. Methods Semi-structured interviews were performed and analyzed using a qualitative phenomenographic method. Results Twenty family members of patients with incurable progressive cancer admitted to hospital-based home care were included in the study. Data showed that family members want to protect, represent, or act on behalf of the patient. Some described themselves as assuming prominent roles: the demander-of-truth role, the secret-keeper role, and the controller role. Others assumed more passive roles: the surrendering role, the considerate listener role, and the excluded outsider role. Conclusion This study has revealed possible explanations as to why family members are dissatisfied with information. The results of this study may help doctors in clinical practice recognize the different types of behaviour family members exhibit when receiving bad news.