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[Ethics in clinical routine care: example of prognosis information]
1Institut Universitaire de Médecine Légale, Unité de Droit Médical et d'Ethique Clinique, Genf, Schweiz. Bernice.Elger@hcuge.ch
Medizinische Klinik (Munich, Germany : 1983)
|October 10, 2002
Summary
Physicians should always tell patients the truth about their prognosis if requested. Empirical evidence shows that full disclosure, respecting patient autonomy, benefits overall well-being, contrary to nonmaleficence concerns.
Area of Science:
- Medical Ethics
- Clinical Communication
- Patient Autonomy
Background:
- Ethical debate on physician disclosure of poor prognosis.
- Legal "therapeutic privilege" allows withholding information to prevent patient harm.
- Conflicting ethical principles: nonmaleficence vs. veracity and autonomy.
Observation:
- Patient surveys indicate a strong desire to know their prognosis.
- Physicians often hesitate to disclose full truth, citing nonmaleficence and beneficence.
- Empirical studies explore consequences of truthful prognosis disclosure.
Findings:
- Truth-telling does not negatively impact patient well-being; it often enhances it.
- Apparent conflicts between ethical principles are resolved with empirical data.
- Most patients wish to receive complete prognostic information.
Implications:
- Supports a shift towards routine, honest communication regarding prognosis.
- Emphasizes the importance of empirical evidence in resolving ethical dilemmas.
- Advocates for respecting patient autonomy through informed consent and truthfulness.