Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to assess the perceptions of Saudi diabetic patients regarding how bad news about their diagnosis was communicated, focusing on the strengths and gaps in doctor-patient interactions.
Methods: This nationwide cross-sectional study was conducted on Saudi diabetic patients using an online questionnaire distributed via social media platforms. The Marburg Breaking Bad News Scale was employed to assess patients’ perceptions of communication practices.
Results: The study included 395 where the majority of participants were females (68.6%) and aged between 25-34 years (31.9%), with most being married (55.2%) and holding at least a high school education (29.4%). Key aspects of doctor-patient communication during breaking bad news included ensuring patient understanding (46.1%) and involving patients in planning (46.6%), while empathy-related features like compassion (46.3%) and providing an undisturbed atmosphere (33.2%) were moderately rated. Informing patients about disease impacts (40.0%) and alternative treatments (42.0%) were emphasized, highlighting the importance of both clarity and emotional support in sensitive medical conversations.
Conclusion: The study highlighted the need for improvements in the delivery of bad news in Saudi Arabia, particularly in fostering empathy, providing clear and detailed information, and involving patients in decision- making. Incorporating cultural sensitivities and patient-centered communication training programs can enhance the quality of healthcare interactions and improve patient outcomes.

Key words: Breaking bad news, diabetes, doctor-patient communication, Saudi Arabia, patient perceptions