Virtual Mentor. April 2000, Volume 2, Number 4.

Ethics Poll

Should Doctors Ever Withhold Information from Patients?

The Ethics Poll is a snapshot of the opinions of interested readers.

In the past, most physicians preferred not to tell their patients too much about serious medical diagnoses, such as cancer. This behavior was justified in the belief that communicating such bad news would only contribute to patients' psychosocial stress. Today, most physicians would not think of "fooling" their patients by withholding information such as a cancer diagnosis. Despite this shift in professional attitudes, some argue that absolute truth telling may actually be countertherapeutic and thus hurt the patient-physician relationship. Do you think physicians should ever withhold information from their patients?
No, because patients require such information to make informed decisions.
No, because physicians are legally liable if medical information is withheld.
Yes, because some patients cannot emotionally handle bad news about their health.
Yes, because sometimes patient's families request that some information be withheld.

References

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  3. Grassi L, Giraldi T, Messina EG, Magnani K, Valle E, Cartei G. Phyisicians' attitudes to and problems with truth-telling to cancer patients. Support Care Cancer. 2000;8:40-45. Abstract available at: MEDLINE.
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  9. Carnes JW, Brownlee HJ, Jr. The disclosure of the diagnosis of cancer. Med Clin North Am. 1996;80:145-151. Abstract available at: MEDLINE.
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  12. Hattori H, Slazberg SM, Kiang WP, Fujimiya T, Tejima Y, Furuno J. The patient's right to information in Japan — legal rules and doctor's opinions. Soc Sci Med. 1991;32:1007-1016. Abstract available at:MEDLINE.
Poll results reflect the opinions of visitors to the site who voluntarily answer the poll questions. Those visitors do not represent a random sample of Virtual Mentor readers. The viewpoints expressed on this site are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the AMA.