Killing hope: Doctors reveal pain of giving bad news

A neuro-oncologist and spinal surgeon at Greenslopes Private Hospital, in Brisbane’s south east, Koefman regularly informs patients of devastating, incurable diagnoses, dashing future hopes, dreams and aspirations. He described the moment when the light in some patients’ eyes was “unplugged’’.“It’s an extraordinary thing to tell someone,’’ Koefman said.“Patients are usually fairly well at the time and it is hard for them to comprehend that in six to 12 months they are going to be…



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