Study after study shows that patients are better able to handle
bad news than either relatives or doctors may think. In fact, some
patients may even be concerned about the person who delivers the
news. “Sometimes, I’ve heard people say, it must have been hard for
you to tell me this,” says Dr. Griner.

Imagine if the daughter accidentally found out about her
diagnosis — perhaps she sees a chart or another clinician who
wasn’t part of the original conversation lets it slip. What impact
might that have on the daughter? How much might it affect the trust
she has in her mother or in future health care providers?

To promote discussion and interaction, when you reply to others,
think of at least two reasons why the mother may not want to share
the news of the diagnosis with her daughter?

What would you have done in the situation? Would you have told
the patient about her leukemia? Why or why not?