[Difficult discussions with patients practiced at course with actors. A carefully planned strategy helps both physician and patient].

The physician's communication skill influences the patient's mental and physical wellbeing, as well as the physician's own experience of stress. Most patients wish to be informed about their disease, by physicians who are honest, gives time, sustains hope, listens and shows compassion and empathy. Even though there are established guidelines on how to break bad news, the physician must find out and respond to the unique reactions and needs of each individual, in order to communicate successfully. There is no consensus on how to construct and evaluate communication skills training programs for physicians, and more RCT-studies are requested.