The patient's right to know. Implications for interpersonal communication processes

The right of a patient to have information about his diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis within the framework of communication processes is discussed from the perspectives of the professional, the patient, and the interaction process. The traditional role of the patient is described with attention given to apparent changes in that role. These changes have implications for the health care practitioner who is a product of the authority structure of academic and clinical institutions steeped in traditional autonomous and unilateral decision making in the mystique of the medical arena.