In-patient suicide after telephone delivery of bad news to a suspected COVID-19 patient:What could be done to improve communication quality?

1|INTRODUCTION Breaking bad news is a critical communication competency for healthcare professionals.Any disclosure of a life-threatening event,such as a malignancy diagnosis,often causes significant stress to patients.While some patients may respond with acceptance and a determination to fight their illness,research has consistently shown that cancer patients often respond to the disclosure of their diagnosis with a range of negative emotions,such as anxiety,distress,and depression[1,2].These reactions are often accompanied by feelings of fear,uncertainty,and a sense of loss of control over their lives.Patients may also experience denial,manifesting as reluctance to accept or discuss the diagnosis[3].Avoidance is another common reaction,where patients may choose to avoid certain situations or people that remind them of their illness[4].These reactions are not uncommon and are a natural response to the stress and uncertainty of cancer diagnosis.