Improving Communication, Collaboration, and Faculty Comfort in Communicating Difficult News in the Pediatric Radiology Department.

OBJECTIVE: When an unexpected or significant diagnosis is made while imaging a child, the pediatric radiologist and support staff are placed in the middle of a life-changing event for the patient and family. The process by which this situation is handled can be quite variable in part because of the lack of a preexisting relationship between the pediatric radiologist and the patient and family. Therefore, we developed a program to improve effective communication of unexpected or significant diagnoses to families called the Difficult News Program.
CONCLUSION: By defining and coordinating roles, the Difficult News Program improves communication between radiology staff and other health professionals and families and optimizes the patient and family experience during an emotional and difficult time. The defined roles and teamwork approach allow timely, compassionate, and accurate information to be shared with families.