Module 4 of 12 · 肿瘤科中文 Cancer Care
告知诊断 Sharing a Cancer Diagnosis
Take part in sharing a cancer diagnosis in Mandarin: the setting, the news in plain words, feelings, family wishes and honest hope.
By the end of this module you can…
- Ask for a private, unhurried talk in Mandarin: the right room, the people the patient chose and a qualified interpreter.
- Ask what the patient knows and how much they want to know, and follow the news when the doctor gives it in plain words.
- Respond to tears, silence, disbelief and anger with words that name and respect the feeling.
- Check understanding with teach-back, pass questions like “How long do I have?” to the doctor, and give honest hope.
- Answer a family who asks you not to tell the patient, and ask directly about distress that needs help today.
Key vocabulary
Fourteen words from this module. Tap the speaker to hear each one.
The news
- 诊断zhěn duànDiagnosis
- 结果jié guǒResult(s)
- 坏消息huài xiāo xiBad news
- 癌症ái zhèngCancer
- 恶性è xìngMalignant (cancer)
- 良性liáng xìngBenign (not cancer)
In the room
- 单独谈dān dú tánTo talk in private
- 纸巾zhǐ jīnTissues
- 哭kūTo cry
- 害怕hài pàAfraid, scared
- 支持zhī chíSupport; to support
- 希望xī wàngHope; to hope, to wish
- 社工shè gōngSocial worker
- 决定jué dìngTo decide; a decision
Ten core phrases
The lines from this module’s take-home phrase sheet. In the course you can print them on one page for your pocket.
- 您对现在的情况了解多少？Nín duì xiàn zài de qíng kuàng liǎo jiě duō shao?How much do you know so far?
- 有的人想知道所有的细节，有的人想先听个大概。您希望怎么样？Yǒu de rén xiǎng zhī dào suǒ yǒu de xì jié, yǒu de rén xiǎng xiān tīng ge dà gài. Nín xī wàng zěn me yàng?All the details, or the big picture first?
- 检查结果出来了，结果不太好。Jiǎn chá jié guǒ chū lai le, jié guǒ bú tài hǎo.The results are back; they’re not good.
- 这个消息很难接受。Zhè ge xiāo xi hěn nán jiē shòu.This is hard news to take in.
- 我能理解您现在很害怕。Wǒ néng lǐ jiě nín xiàn zài hěn hài pà.I can understand you’re scared.
- 您慢慢来，我在这里。Nín màn màn lái, wǒ zài zhè lǐ.Take your time. I’m here.
- 您现在最担心的是什么？Nín xiàn zài zuì dān xīn de shì shén me?What worries you most right now?
- 您能用自己的话说一说，今天医生说了什么吗？Nín néng yòng zì jǐ de huà shuō yi shuō, jīn tiān yī shēng shuō le shén me ma?In your own words, what did the doctor say?
- 这个问题很重要，我请医生来跟您详细谈。Zhè ge wèn tí hěn zhòng yào, wǒ qǐng yī shēng lái gēn nín xiáng xì tán.Important question: I’ll get the doctor.
- 我们会一起想办法，一直陪着您。Wǒ men huì yì qǐ xiǎng bàn fǎ, yì zhí péi zhe nín.We’ll work it out together; we’re with you.
What’s in Module 4
- Part 1 · Warm-UpWarm-Up: Hard Conversations
- Part 2 · The Words for Hard NewsReading the PinyinSaying 不好的东西 vs. Charting 恶性肿瘤Vocabulary · Flash Cards
- Part 3 · The ConversationThe Diagnosis ScriptThe Warning Shot, Then SilenceKey PatternsSPIKES, Step by Step
- Part 4 · Before and After the NewsSetting Up the TalkResponding to FeelingsChecking Understanding“How Long Do I Have?”
- Part 5 · Family, Hope & SafetyWhen the Family Says “Don’t Tell Him”Asking the Patient How Much to KnowHope Without False PromisesDistress That Can’t WaitWhat Patients Say
- Part 6 · Role-PlayRound 1 · Guided ConversationRound 2 · Controlled PracticeRounds 3, 4 & 5 · Independent
- Part 7 · Knowledge CheckModule 4 Knowledge Check
- Part 8 · Wrap-UpModule 4 HomeworkTake-Home Phrase SheetModule 4 Wrap-Up · 下次见
Practice it properly
The full module adds dialogues, role-plays, pronunciation drills and a Knowledge Check. Pass the check to earn a certificate of completion you can add to LinkedIn.