Breaking Bad News to Patients

In this episode of the AAOS Now Podcast, host Rex Lutz, DO, sits down with orthopaedic oncologist Odion Binitie, MD, FAAOS, to discuss a challenging yet inevitable part of transitioning from medical training into practice: breaking bad news to patients. Whether you are a resident, fellow, or attending surgeon, navigating difficult conversations requires a delicate balance of directness and deep empathy. Dr. Binitie shares his expert advice on how to read the room, communicate effectively with patients and their families, and practice crucial self-care to maintain a long and fulfilling career. Key Topics Covered in This Episode: Dr. Binitie's Career Path: His unique journey navigating dual fellowships in pediatric orthopaedics and musculoskeletal oncology. Assessing Patient Knowledge: Why it is critical to ask questions and understand what a patient already knows — and who is in the room with them — before delivering a difficult diagnosis. Balancing Compassion and Directness: The importance of active listening, taking strategic pauses, and giving patients grace to process life-altering news. Handling Surgical Complications: Why you must be 100% truthful, share updates with family members immediately in the recovery room, and acknowledge when mistakes happen. Managing Anger and Safety: How to compassionately handle patient anger while prioritizing your own physical safety in the exam room. Physician Self-Care: Strategies for coping with surgical complications, including utilizing institutional counseling programs, leaning on peer support, compartmentalizing, and finding physical outlets like yoga or meditation. The Power of Patient Relationships: How building a strong foundation of trust makes having difficult conversations much easier down the road. About Our Guest: Odion Binitie, MD, FAAOS, is a Professor in the Department of Sarcoma at the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida. He is also a member of the AAOS Now Editorial Board. The AAOS Now Podcast is part of the BoneBeat Orthopaedic podcast channel, with production and editing provided by MK Quinn Media. For more conversations on professional development within the field of musculoskeletal healthcare, please visit aaos.org/thebonebeat. Host: Rex Lutz, DO, AAOS Resident Assembly Executive Committee Chair