Compassion in Communication: Navigating the Delicate Process of Informing Families About a Patient’s Prognosis

A critical 30-year-old man was rushed to the Emergency Department at Hospital 103 in Hanoi after suffering a severe headache. Dr. Do Duc Thuan, the Deputy Head of the Stroke Department at Military Hospital 103, emphasized the urgency of coordinating a rescue effort to save the man’s life on April 24. The patient, who was admitted unconscious, had suffered a ruptured aneurysm that led to a stroke. Despite the grave prognosis, medical staff dedicated all their efforts to treating the patient while Dr. Thuan prepared the patient’s wife for the difficult news.

When faced with such situations, doctors like Dr. Thuan must navigate the delicate process of informing families about a patient’s prognosis. In cases where a patient dies suddenly, preparing family members is crucial to help them cope with the news. Dr. Thuan’s experience in delivering heartbreaking news to families has taught him the importance of compassion, empathy, and effective communication.

In another scenario at Military Hospital 175 in Ho Chi Minh City, a 35-year-old man with a positive prognosis suddenly deteriorated and tragically passed away despite the medical team’s best efforts. Doctor Hoang Tien Trong Nghia, head of internal medicine department highlighted how challenging it is to manage unexpected conditions that can arise even when patients seem stable.

According to World Health Organization sudden death is defined as an unexplained and non-violent fatality occurring within a short period after symptoms appear. Communicating such devastating news to grieving families requires skilled professionals who can provide support and explanations during their time of loss.

While dealing with death and bereavement is an inevitable aspect of medical practice; doctors strive to mitigate families’ pain by providing timely information supportive communication and closure aiming to help families navigate through challenging process of saying goodbye their loved ones