Breaking bad news: medical undergraduate communication skills teaching and learning.

Teaching on the theme of 'breaking bad news' was selected for special development as part of an introductory course on communication skills for preclinical medial students in 1987. Eight parents of handicapped children and three patients terminally ill with neoplastic diseases cooperated in a series of semi-structured group discussions in which students were encouraged to interact with patients and children. The patients/parents readily assumed the role of teachers and where it was possible, they participated in similar sessions the following year. Analysis of questionnaires indicated that the plan had proved acceptable to patients, relatives and students. Follow-up of student opinion one year later indicated that students felt they had derived benefit from these opportunities to learn first-hand from patients and parents of handicapped children.