Delivering bad news as an ICU doctor is one of the harder parts of the job. Here are some lessons I've learned along the way👇 1. Always sit down 2. Don't just jump into it. Spend the first couple of minutes with introductions to yourself, your team (if present), but more importantly who all is in the room (patient, family etc.) 3. If you will be needing consent for something (procedure, palliation etc.) as part of the discussion, ensure you know who the decision maker(s) are. 4. Preface the bad news "I have to share something that might be hard to hear" 5. Clearly in <30 seconds deliver the bad news then STOP TALKING. The biggest mistake I see is people give the news and keep going. It takes time to process what may be the worst news they've ever received. Silence is the solution here. They will talk or ask questions when they are ready... it could be 10 seconds, 1 minute, or 10minutes. Give them the time they need before you proceed. 6. Ask if they have any questions about what you have delivered. 7. Be prepared to answer 'what comes next' .. 8. Ask about spirtual / religious beliefs when appropriate and offer support if that is available. 9. Let them know you or someone from your team will be available to answer questions that might come to mind... often in the moment, questions slip people's mind but come to them minutes after you leave. Make sure they know how they can have them clarified. Just some thoughts here... any others? Bonus: Don't construe family members becoming angry as them being angry at you or the team. Anger when faced with this news is common, normalize it and realize it likely isn't directed at you!

“All I can say is be patient with someone who is grieving” #TommyTiernanShow | @tommedian