Q. Can the patient be told bad news?
Relatives wonder whether it will be too upsetting to tell the patient bad news e.g. that
someone died in the same car accident or that a relative has died. It is better to tell
the patient rather than try to keep the news from them. After a brain injury people often
do not become as emotionally upset over such news as they would have done before. Before
you tell them the news it's a good idea to mention to the doctor or the social worker that
you're going to do so. Tell the patient the news in a matter of fact way, keep it brief
and only go into detail if the patient asks for detail.
Last modified: Thursday, 20 April 2006