Words that wound or heal: Ethical and medico-legal dilemmas of breaking bad news in clinical care

• Author Details:   
• Praveen Dixit ^*

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Breaking bad news (BBN) is an essential yet challenging part of clinical practice, particularly in adverse scenarios where communicating the bad news may have adverse effects on the patient, their loved ones, health professionals and the hospital setup. It requires sensitivity, empathy, and ethical clarity, along with a complex medicolegal terrain. Whether it is conveying a diagnosis of terminal illness, failure of treatment given, or the unexpected complications of any procedures or medicine, the healthcare professionals must balance honesty, compassion and transparency with patient autonomy. This article reviews the ethical frameworks, legal considerations, and communication strategies associated with BBN in hospital settings, drawing on both global practices and the specific context of Indian medico-legal obligations.

Keywords: Bad news, Healthcare, Ethics, Autonomy, Medico-legal