Bad news may be defined as any information which adversely and seriously affects an

individual's view of his or her future. Bad news is always, however, in the eyes of the
beholder, such that one cannot estimate the impact of the bad news until one has first
determined the recipient's expectations or understanding (Walter, Robert, Renato, Gary,
Estela and Andrzej, 2000).

COMPARING AND CONTRASTING

Similarities

Comparing the two videos, we see both professional and unprofessional way of handling
things by the health workers.

In both videos we see informed consent, patients are given more information on their
problem enough for them to make appropriate decision. In the Wildfire video, Dr. Mbao and
Dr. Martin explained in detail on the problem the farmer woman had and the benefit of her
leg been amputated and the complications that might develop if not amputated. A similar
situation is seen in Greys Anatomy when an elderly woman by the name of Gabby was been
taken for a head CT scan that Dr. Grey had to inform her about the importance of the scan
before surgery.

Good doctor to doctor relationship is also seen in both videos. In wildfire, Dr. Mbao was
called by the other colleague and taken in a private place after he delivered the bad news in
an inappropriate way to Mrs. Chomba about the death of her husband. It is also seen in greys
anatomy when Dr Shepherd and Dr Edward talked about Doctor Edward’s issue in a private
place. Good colleague communication is every important as it minimises misunderstand and
it also maximises work efficiency. We also see self respect between senior doctors and junior
doctors in both videos. In addition, both videos shows what it means to break bad news in a
bad way. In a Wildfire video doctor Mbawo showed bad way of breaking bad news when he
was telling Mrs. Chomba about the death of her husband. Doctor Mbawo delivered the bad
news to Mrs. Chomba in a wrong place and he did not sympathise with the bereaved

Differences

However, in the Wildfire video at the place of accident we see unprofessional way of
handling the situation and patients. The health caregivers at the place of accident had no
proper identification; they did not put on the uniforms or identification cards. When treating
the patients, they did not put on grove for safety. Proper identification is every important as a
health worker for patient are more likely to believe you and be adherent to their treatment
when you properly identify yourself. Unlike in Wildfire video, health workers in greys
anatomy had proper identification.

In greys anatomy doctor Medean and doctor Edwards were talking about personal matters at
the place of work. It is unethical to talk about personal issues at place of work as this reduces
attention to the patient. But this is not seen in wildfire where doctor Mbawo and the other
paid attention to the farmer woman.
It was also noticed in Wildfire video that doctor Mbawo was not taught the best way to break
bad news after being conflated by the other doctor. While in the Greys anatomy video after
break bad news in a bad way, interns were taught the best way of breaking the bad news by
seniors.

Lesson learnt from the videos

The four components of breaking bad news: Location, Language, Body language and Leave.

 Location: Breaking bad news must be done in a place where the person to which the
news is being delivered to will be ok with. It must not be done in a public place.
 Language: use appropriate language, avoid using words like left us, passed away but
rather use the word dead.
 Body language: make sure you sympathies with the patient or the bereaved and after
this be ready to leave.