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Watch your spoken and body language. Reassure without patronizing, and let nothing that you say or do cause him increased distress.

(Location 944 - Kindle version)

The author says to be careful about what you say when you manage a patient, despite his/her actual condition. Causing panic in the patient can be a disadvantage, I agree, but at the same time I think it is important for the patient to know the truth.

What do you think? Should we keep the patient blind just to avoid him/her getting panicked, or should we reveal the truth no matter how hard it is? Do words have an actual impact on the outcome of the patient?

That is quite eloquent, as it is correct from both points of view. The truth can always help, even if it is difficult, but on the other hand, in some cases, it can harm a person. Sometimes our inner desire to know is much stronger than us, even if it is better not to know. In my opinion, for some patients, you have to do your best and tell them the hard truth. Every coin has two sides, and one is always right but from a different point of view.

I think this is sound advice. At some point medically trained persons update patients on their status. If this is information that may cause panic, alarm , worry etc. then being reassuring is important. Yes persons react to information differently so it is possible to be more straightforward with some persons and yet be tactful with both verbal communication and body language.

I don't think it's necessary to lie to a patient just to make them feel good. But it's not always about what you say, but how you say it. 'You have six months to live.' and 'Survival chances are not high.' convey the same message in different tones.

It is absolutely important for the patient to know the truth, but at the same time, it should be presented in the kindest manner.
it is also true that what you speak during an emergency creates an impact on the prognosis of the patient, so words should be chosen wisely.

I agree with the author on this. When managing a patient, telling them the whole truth about their health condition and state may do more harm than good because not everybody can actually bear the agony of a deterioting health
condition especially when they're faced with terminal ailment. The news may end up killing the patient before the ailment did. However, they should be aware of their possibilities and chances of being exposed or infected with such ailment and the measures to prevent or manage it. Most importantly, family members of such patient should be thoroughly informed about their love ones health state and how they can assist them manage their condition.

With regards to telling the truth about a person's health status absolutely the updates must be factual. As this forms the basis for further decision making. However where relating this immediately can lead to the immediate demise of a person in shock then being reassuring is equally as important.

Honestly I think the way that you talk to a patient can have a significant impact on how they take the news that you are giving them. There's obviously a lot of potential for having to give bad news if you work in the medical field, but if you talk to a patient in a way that affects them significantly on a mental and emotional level, their physical health can be impacted as well. I would NEVER advocate for lying to a patient or withholding information about their condition. But you definitely need to be careful with your word choice and your approach in giving the news. It's a tricky balance to follow.

The timing of when you tell the truth is important in such situations. When a patient is in a delicate or critical condition, it's best to hide some details. I think I'll appreciate it if someone first helped me, treated me, and then told me the truth. And yes. Words do have an actual impact. Not only during medical situations but at any moment. Negative, demotivating and overly critical words can spoil a person's mood. In the same way, use of carefully chosen encouraging words during medical emergencies can help a person (the patient) remain calmer.

Have you heard the story of the frog who made it to the top of a tower because he was deaf? If you have, it'll give you a clear insight as to why words matter.
You do not tell a person who's already freaking out that they're not gonna make it; it'll only worsen their situation.
I'm of the opinion that the bad news be reserved for the less critical time, unless it is inevitable.

I think we neither keep the patient blind about the scenario nor give false hopes. We tell the situation and the possible options as they are. That is why it helps to be informed and prepared. We can make assessments and explore possible solutions objectively. Then, deliver them in the calmest way possible. For example, there may be tough decisions to make. It could be choosing between saving a vital organ or a limb to extend life. We have to inform the patient and get consent. Likewise, we can also get helpful information from the patient by being truthful. There might be a medical history or pre-existing conditions for consideration.

Despite the fact that it can be excruciating, telling the whole truth is the right approach. It makes the patients keenly aware and prepared while also giving them time to do the course of the most recent thing they want to do in their lives. It can, however, be executed and asserted meticulously and with fine sonority. Words are indeed powerful, and despite the terrible news, we don't want to afflict a detrimental effect on their mental health. To conclude, I concur with telling the truth.

No doubt. It is necessary for a patient to know the truth about their condition. However, manner of delivering this message will determine whether it will cause distress or not.

Sushan wrote: ↑01 Oct 2021, 00:06

Watch your spoken and body language. Reassure without patronizing, and let nothing that you say or do cause him increased distress.

(Location 944 - Kindle version)

The author says to be careful about what you say when you manage a patient, despite his/her actual condition. Causing panic in the patient can be a disadvantage, I agree, but at the same time I think it is important for the patient to know the truth.

What do you think? Should we keep the patient blind just to avoid him/her getting panicked, or should we reveal the truth no matter how hard it is? Do words have an actual impact on the outcome of the patient?

I have experience in this first hand, so I am very sure when I say words have the greatest impact, they can save or kill a person both mentally and eventually physical, the medical system in our country is trash, the doctors have no respect for patients, and they act like they own the place when they actually even though they have the medical education they don't act like it. i am not saying to keep the patients blind but you have to know how to speak with them and master how to relay bad news and good news to avoid the patients breaking down and loosing help or getting more scared that could actually worse his condition, and you need to make sure of what your saying 1000% before saying it.

I think it is essential for the patient to know the truth but it should be made know to him/her in such a way that it wouldn't panick him leading to a worse health condition