What's the News, Doc?

One of the proudest traditions in the health care field is the delivery of "good news and bad news." The following examples were culled from Lamplighter's Smile When You Say That: How to Develop a Gentle Bedside Manner, 2nd edition.

"Well, I've got good news and bad news."

"Give me the good news first, okay?"

"Sure thing. The good news is..."

1. "You don't have the stomach flu."

2. "We found the dog that bit you."

3. "We think we know why your eyebrows are growing together."

4. "Your bladder works just fine."

5. "I'm going to have you try some 'soft food' today."

6. "The doctor says you don't have to take your morning dose by mouth anymore."

7. "We found out why you set off the metal detector."

8. "You're going to be taller than your father or your brother!"

9. "The Prozac is working well, in fact, really well."

10. "It took us longer than we thought, but we were able to make you look young again."