2 answers
Jayred
Student
Miami, Florida
1
Question
Updated
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How do caregivers or any health providers, for example, me, as I dream of being a clinical psychologist and/or a neuropsychologist, stay calm while giving terrible news? From the perspective of our primary doctor or psychologist, with whom we build a connection with through empathy as we talk and get to know each other: how do you tell your closest patient they have a certain number of days left after a brain injury? #Spring26?
I am a sophomore in college and will be transferring to Vanderbilt University, entering as a junior, majoring in psychology with a concentration in neuroscience.
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2 answers
James Hanson
Pediatric Intensive Care Physician; Consultant
257
Answers
Oakland, California
Updated
James’s Answer
As a pediatric intensive care physician, I have had to give bad news to loved ones many, many times. It is never easy. If one is truly empathetic and truthful, even giving "bad" news can actually feel good, as you know you are doing your best to honestly support others during a difficult time. It is important when giving bad news to be certain all on the care team agree with the news (prognosis...), and it is vital that you allow loved ones to voice their questions, their anger, their grief, and their care goals.
It is important to state that physicians are horrible at predicting the number of hours, days, weeks, or months a patient will survive. It is far better to speak to the generalities of physical and/or mental decline, and to speak to how their loved one (or themselves) may perceive the dying process.
That you ask this question suggests to me you are preparing yourself well to be that empathetic care provider.
It is important to state that physicians are horrible at predicting the number of hours, days, weeks, or months a patient will survive. It is far better to speak to the generalities of physical and/or mental decline, and to speak to how their loved one (or themselves) may perceive the dying process.
That you ask this question suggests to me you are preparing yourself well to be that empathetic care provider.
Chinyere Okafor
Educationist and Counseling Psychologist
1376
Answers
Port Harcourt, Rivers, Nigeria
Updated
Chinyere’s Answer
Hi Jayred,
Great question! The fact that this question matters to you says a lot about the kind of clinician you may become. You are not only thinking about knowledge, but you are also thinking about humanity.
Most skilled providers do not become cold or emotionless. They learn how to be calm and caring at the same time. Calmness usually comes from training, experience, teamwork, and preparation. They focus on being present, speaking clearly, allowing silence, and helping the patient and family feel supported in a painful moment. The goal is not to remove emotion. It is to create stability when emotions are high.
They also learn that delivering difficult news is not one single sentence. It is often a conversation. Good clinicians check understanding, answer questions honestly, listen carefully, and remain compassionate. Sometimes what people remember most is not every word said, but whether they felt respected, seen, and cared for.
In roles such as clinical psychology or neuropsychology, difficult conversations may also involve changes in memory, behaviour, independence, recovery expectations, or emotional adjustment after injury. Professionals help patients and families process what the diagnosis means and what support comes next. Hope may shift from “curing everything” to “maximising quality of life, comfort, meaning, and connection.” That is still real hope.
So, how do they personally cope? Many rely on supervision, consultation, peer support, healthy boundaries, reflection, and self-care. No compassionate professional is untouched by these moments. They simply learn how to carry them in sustainable ways.
Since you are heading toward Vanderbilt University and studying psychology with neuroscience, I would encourage you to keep exploring ethics, counseling skills, brain-behaviour relationships, and communication in healthcare settings. Technical knowledge matters, but the ability to sit with people in hard moments is just as important. You do not need to have all the answers now. The best future clinicians often start exactly where you are, asking how to care for people well when life is hardest.
Best wishes!
Great question! The fact that this question matters to you says a lot about the kind of clinician you may become. You are not only thinking about knowledge, but you are also thinking about humanity.
Most skilled providers do not become cold or emotionless. They learn how to be calm and caring at the same time. Calmness usually comes from training, experience, teamwork, and preparation. They focus on being present, speaking clearly, allowing silence, and helping the patient and family feel supported in a painful moment. The goal is not to remove emotion. It is to create stability when emotions are high.
They also learn that delivering difficult news is not one single sentence. It is often a conversation. Good clinicians check understanding, answer questions honestly, listen carefully, and remain compassionate. Sometimes what people remember most is not every word said, but whether they felt respected, seen, and cared for.
In roles such as clinical psychology or neuropsychology, difficult conversations may also involve changes in memory, behaviour, independence, recovery expectations, or emotional adjustment after injury. Professionals help patients and families process what the diagnosis means and what support comes next. Hope may shift from “curing everything” to “maximising quality of life, comfort, meaning, and connection.” That is still real hope.
So, how do they personally cope? Many rely on supervision, consultation, peer support, healthy boundaries, reflection, and self-care. No compassionate professional is untouched by these moments. They simply learn how to carry them in sustainable ways.
Since you are heading toward Vanderbilt University and studying psychology with neuroscience, I would encourage you to keep exploring ethics, counseling skills, brain-behaviour relationships, and communication in healthcare settings. Technical knowledge matters, but the ability to sit with people in hard moments is just as important. You do not need to have all the answers now. The best future clinicians often start exactly where you are, asking how to care for people well when life is hardest.
Best wishes!