Disclosing the truth: a dilemma between instilling hope and respecting patient autonomy in everyday clinical practice
Journal
Global journal of health science
Date Issued
March 2014
DOI
10.5539/gjhs.v6n2p128
Abstract
Background: While medical ethics place a high value on providing truthful information to patients, disclosure
practices are far from being the norm in many countries. Transmitting bad news still remains a big problem that
health care professionals face in their every day clinical practice.
Aims: Through the review of relevant literature, an attempt to examine the trends in this issue worldwide will be
made.
Method: Various electronic databases were searched by the authors and through systematic selection 51
scientific articles were identified that this literature review is based on.
Results: There are many parameters that lead to the concealment of truth. Factors related to doctors, patients and
their close environment, still maintain a strong resistance against disclosure of diagnosis and prognosis in
terminally ill patients, while cultural influences lead to different approaches in various countries. Withholding
the truth is mainly based in the fear of causing despair to patients. However, fostering a spurious hope, hides the
danger of its’ total loss, while it can disturb patient-doctor relationship.
practices are far from being the norm in many countries. Transmitting bad news still remains a big problem that
health care professionals face in their every day clinical practice.
Aims: Through the review of relevant literature, an attempt to examine the trends in this issue worldwide will be
made.
Method: Various electronic databases were searched by the authors and through systematic selection 51
scientific articles were identified that this literature review is based on.
Results: There are many parameters that lead to the concealment of truth. Factors related to doctors, patients and
their close environment, still maintain a strong resistance against disclosure of diagnosis and prognosis in
terminally ill patients, while cultural influences lead to different approaches in various countries. Withholding
the truth is mainly based in the fear of causing despair to patients. However, fostering a spurious hope, hides the
danger of its’ total loss, while it can disturb patient-doctor relationship.
File(s)![Thumbnail Image]()
Name
Sarafis.pdf
Size
168.06 KB
Format
Adobe PDF
Checksum (MD5)
4341df4921eb917242c0f3a6d17293ea