The ability to communicate well is a basic skill necessary in all medical areas, more so in delivering bad news to the patients and their families as well as negotiating goals of care. According to the Leadership Alliance for the Care of Dying People (2014), bad news is one which changes the life of the individual in a negative way, such as death. It is important that the nurses and other medical professionals realize the protocols to follow when delivering life-changing news to the patients and their families. For this reason, a few communication frameworks have been suggested to aid in communication improvement. This paper shall focus on the SPIKES protocol and VERA framework.
A review by Dean & Willis, (2016), provides a detailed description of the two models. The SPIKES model was adapted after Oncology doctors reported difficulties in breaking bad news to their patients. The six steps of the protocol are; setting up a review with the patient, get details on the patient’s perception of the illness, gather information on their level of intake, dispense the bad news in a clear and understandable language, allow the patient time to express their emotions, and lastly, formulate a comprehensive coping strategy with the patient.
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For negating goals of care, VERA framework is recommended. The model was developed as a result of a group of pre-registered nursing students who had difficulties in communication. The model has four key concepts; validation, emotion, reassure and activity. A review conducted by Hawkes et al, (2015) validates the applicability and importance of the model in improving communication among nurses, patients, and their families. According to the article, VERA is effective in achieving communication among older people in need of care. Additionally, the model can be diffused in all clinical processes where communication is broken since it advocates for creativity and humanity.
References
Dean, A., & Willis, S. (January 01, 2016). The use of protocol in breaking bad news: evidence and ethos. International Journal of Palliative Nursing, 22, 6, 265-71.
Hawkes, D., Hingley, D., Wood, S., & Blackhall, A. (September 09, 2015). Evaluating the VERA framework for communication. Nursing Standard, 30, 2, 44-48. Bottom of Form
Leadership Alliance for the Care of Dying People (2014) One Chance to get it Right . https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/323188/O ne_chance_to_get_it_right.pdf Accessed 29/04/19
