Teaching medical students about breaking bad news is an intriguing assignment with vast variety in the teaching methods. Culture plays an important role in truth disclosure and patient autonomy.In 2005, the Communication Skills Working Group at the American University of Beirut produced a culturally sensitive audiovisual package (AVP) in the native language, Arabic, on breaking bad news. The AVP illustrates different learning themes through watching and discussion of 12 video clips that included scenarios based on real events. Two scenarios depicted two persons with cancer; one lady not ready to hear her diagnosis -while the other asked the doctor to be straight with her. The first case also illustrates the culturally related issues of family involvement and interference. The AVP is concluded with a scenario that deals with organ donation and exposes local religious misconceptions.
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