Perceptions and Barriers toward Breaking Bad News among Primary Healthcare Physicians in Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Delivering patients or their families the terrible news regarding significant diseases or findings is known as "breaking bad news (BBN)." (1). So we need to determine the perception of Breaking bad new among Primary Care Physicians in Al-Ahsa. Objective: The current study aimed to assess the applying process of Breaking Bad News among Primary healthcare physicians, Ministry of Health in Al-Ahsa. Methods: An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted through a self-administered questionnaire targeting all physicians of Primary health care, (PHC) in Ministry of health, (MOH) in Al-Ahsa. The study questionnaire divided into three sections that will include personal data without the name in the first section: Demographic data. The second section will be related to breaking bad news. Lasts section covered barriers against applying breaking bad news and perceived diseases which need BBN. The final questionnaire was sent to the available physicians to be filled and assured lack of missing data after conforming accuracy and data validity. Results: A total of 265 eligible PHC physicians were included. Participants ages ranged from 20 to 55 years with a mean age of 28.9 ± 11.7 years old. As for job title, 104 (39.2%) were GPs, 81 (30.6%) were residents, 25 (9.4%) were specialists and 55 (20.8%) were consultants. A total of 213 (80.4%) of the study physicians were trained for Breaking Bad News and 152 (57.4%) of the study physicians feel confident in discussing with patients and their relatives about prognosis and life expectancy. A total of 58.1% agreed that they have to tell the patient everything about the disease, but 47.9% think telling patients everything will take their hope. Also, 38.5% feel depressed after breaking bad news to patients or relatives, 33.2% feel anxious when delivering bad news. Conclusion: The study found that while most physicians were trained about BBN, they lacked knowledge and support to apply due to various factors, despite high psychological burdens, and rated their abilities as good.