The dozen phrases doctors warned never say to patients, including ‘everything is going to be fine’

The dozen phrases doctors warned never say to patients, including ‘everything is going to be fine’ 
What's New 2Day; by Alexander; 11/8/24 
“Everything is going to be okay.” No doubt you or someone you know has heard those words from a doctor, but doctors are now being warned to stop doing so because it could raise false hope. A new report has identified 12 “never phrases” that doctors should never use with patients with serious illnesses, such as heart failure, cancer and lung disease. They explain that these “isolated words or phrases not only lack benefits but can also cause emotional harm and accentuate power differences.” If a patient is seriously ill, for example, a doctor should never mention the words “withdraw care,” as this implies that the medical team is “giving up.” While “everything will be okay” may seem like a comforting phrase, researchers say this could offer false hope when dealing with a serious illness and a better expression might be “I’m here to support you through this whole process.” [Click on the title's link for the dozen phrases they identify, with alternative language and rationale.]