ABSTRACT
Good news is empowering; it generates positive feelings and strengthens the patient's beleaguered self-consciousness. Bad news travels fast and more easily than good news does—it's quantifiable. Maybe newscasters, similar to a doctor announcing a cancer diagnosis, should first warn their audience before delivering bad news, then pause briefly to prepare them. Good news also takes time and space to sink in; one needs to come to terms with and process positive messages. Good news can be particularly powerful when it is delivered in a group setting. The word “relatives” immediately conjures thoughts of dying, death, and grief. Good news can also act as a buffer to help absorb pain or fear and help classify or dampen the effects of bad news. The researchers examined how the order of the news affected recipients’ behavior. They concluded that overall, recipients felt better when they heard the good news last.
