“If You Hold It Too Close, It Will Eat You Alive”: Surgeon Discusses Emotional Toll of Difficult Patient Conversations

For surgeons, giving bad news—a poor prognosis, a failed treatment, unexpected side effects of care—is a critical but often unexplored component of daily practice, with both implications for patient care and for surgeon mental health. How do you stand the pain of these difficult conversations? Watch Gretchen Schwarze, MD, MPP, FACS, a nationally recognized expert in surgical decision-making, informed consent, and end-of-life care, discuss this profound topic that is explored in the February Bulletin.