Volume 36, Issue 263 (11-2026)
J Mazandaran Univ Med Sci 2026, 36(263): 255-268 |
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asgharpour H, Shahhosseini Z. Ethical Considerations Related to Breaking Bad News in Obstetrics and Gynaecology: A Scoping Review. , J Mazandaran Univ Med Sci. 2026; 36 (263) :255-268
URL: http://jmums.mazums.ac.ir/article-1-23115-en.html
URL: http://jmums.mazums.ac.ir/article-1-23115-en.html
Abstract: (13 Views)
Background and purpose: Delivering bad news in obstetrics, gynaecology, and midwifery is a complex clinical task that can have significant psychological, emotional, familial, and social consequences for women and their families. It also presents ethical and communication challenges for healthcare professionals. This scoping review aimed to identify, classify, and synthesise ethical considerations related to delivering bad news in gynaecological and midwifery care, as well as the reported challenges and strategies.
Materials and methods: The review was conducted using the framework proposed by Arksey and O’Malley and in accordance with the PRISMA-ScR guidelines. Studies published between January 1990 and March 2026 were searched for in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. After duplicate records were removed, titles and abstracts were screened, followed by full-text assessment of potentially eligible studies. Relevant studies published in Persian or English were included if they met the predefined eligibility criteria. The textual data were analysed using conventional content analysis.
Results: Of the 420 records identified, 50 duplicates were removed, leaving 370 records for screening. Following the exclusion of 313 records during title and abstract screening, the full texts of 57 studies were assessed for eligibility. Seventeen studies were excluded during full-text assessment, leaving 40 studies for further evaluation. Of these, 24 were excluded because they did not meet the review’s final eligibility criteria. Ultimately, 16 studies were included in the synthesis. A manual search identified two additional records, neither of which met the inclusion criteria. Five main themes were identified: ethical principles, stakeholder roles, communication skills, barriers and facilitators, and psychosocial consequences.
Conclusion: Delivering bad news in obstetric and gynaecological care is a multidimensional process shaped by ethical principles, individual and cultural preferences, communication skills, and organisational factors. Multicentre interventional studies are needed to develop and adapt educational strategies to local contexts and evaluate their effects on patient-centred outcomes.
Materials and methods: The review was conducted using the framework proposed by Arksey and O’Malley and in accordance with the PRISMA-ScR guidelines. Studies published between January 1990 and March 2026 were searched for in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. After duplicate records were removed, titles and abstracts were screened, followed by full-text assessment of potentially eligible studies. Relevant studies published in Persian or English were included if they met the predefined eligibility criteria. The textual data were analysed using conventional content analysis.
Results: Of the 420 records identified, 50 duplicates were removed, leaving 370 records for screening. Following the exclusion of 313 records during title and abstract screening, the full texts of 57 studies were assessed for eligibility. Seventeen studies were excluded during full-text assessment, leaving 40 studies for further evaluation. Of these, 24 were excluded because they did not meet the review’s final eligibility criteria. Ultimately, 16 studies were included in the synthesis. A manual search identified two additional records, neither of which met the inclusion criteria. Five main themes were identified: ethical principles, stakeholder roles, communication skills, barriers and facilitators, and psychosocial consequences.
Conclusion: Delivering bad news in obstetric and gynaecological care is a multidimensional process shaped by ethical principles, individual and cultural preferences, communication skills, and organisational factors. Multicentre interventional studies are needed to develop and adapt educational strategies to local contexts and evaluate their effects on patient-centred outcomes.
Keywords: ethical considerations, breaking bad news, women, midwifery, patient-centred communication.
Type of Study: Review |
Subject:
Medical Ethics
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