‘Breaking good news’: neurologists’ experiences of discussing SUDEP with patients in Scotland

Nisbet, Tom (2016) ‘Breaking good news’: neurologists’ experiences of discussing SUDEP with patients in Scotland. D Clin Psy thesis, University of Glasgow.

Abstract

Since the findings of a Fatal Accident Inquiry (FAI) in 2010, clinicians working in Scotland have been advised to discuss the risk of Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP) with patients immediately or soon after a diagnosis of epilepsy is made. A thematic analysis was used to describe the experiences discussing SUDEP of 10 clinicians (six Consultant Neurologists and four Neurology Registrars) working in Scotland. Five themes were found: Clinicians employ a ‘SUDEP protocol’, suggesting there is a standardised way of discussing SUDEP with patients and all clinicians routinely discuss SUDEP with newly diagnosed epilepsy patients; The FAI has diffused into practice through meetings and discussions with colleagues; ‘Breaking Good News’ refers to the ambivalence clinicians feel about discussing SUDEP; ‘Falsely anticipating anxiety’ refers to clinicians anticipating a distressed response from patients despite this very rarely occurring; Clinicians suggest that ‘pressure hinders effective communication’ to patients – suggesting that the pressure to discuss SUDEP early after diagnosis may have an emotional impact on patients and affect the amount of information they can take in. Implications for guideline development are discussed.

• Item Type: Thesis (D Clin Psy)
• Qualification Level: Postdoctoral
• Keywords: SUDEP, epilepsy, qualitative, thematic analysis, neurology practice, breaking bad news.
• Subjects: B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology; R Medicine > R Medicine (General)
• Colleges/Schools: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > Mental Health and Wellbeing
• Supervisor's Name: Turnbull, Dr. Sue
• Date of Award: 2016
• Depositing User: Mr Tom J Nisbet
• Unique ID: glathesis:2016-7591
• Copyright: Copyright of this thesis is held by the author.
• Date Deposited: 05 Oct 2016 07:38
• Last Modified: 07 Nov 2016 15:14
• URI: https://theses.gla.ac.uk/id/eprint/7591