ABSTRACT
Any interaction where there is more than one lay participant is potentially a problem, and the issues are greatly complicated by the question of translation. The main themes will vary in individual significance from one participant to another, and from less experienced to more experienced participants. This scenario can be used for basic communication skills training. It raises the topic of death, obviously enough, without being a traditional ‘breaking bad news’ scenario, and in that sense is useful for helping less experienced students or healthcare professionals to find the courage and the language to relax and seek to be of genuine assistance. Some of the main themes include: conversing sensitively, but honestly, when hope is gone; facilitating dialogue using communication and counselling skills; managing different patients’ reactions to unwelcome news; and recognising and normalising guilt reactions and public/professional attitudes towards ‘self-inflicted’ illness.
