[Patient's information and announcement of a serious disease]

The announcement of a serious disease to a patient and an adequate information are never easy. Some physicians are more comfortable than others. However, some knowledges on usual reactions of patients and on new rules could be useful.

The complete information of the patient is a duty with regard to the law, although it could be facultative in some rare circumstances. The medical confidence has to be respected with all persons, even among close relations of the patient. It is not contradictory with a therapeutic alliance with these close relations. The announcement must be provided by the doctor who first suggested the diagnosis. An anxious reaction is normal. Mechanisms of defence, appropriate or not, are developed by the patient. Nonetheless, precise information seems to be less anxiogenic than non resolved questions. Fears of some physicians, who avoid information, often appear linked to their own anxiety. Nevertheless, good information is associated with adequate words and adequate choice of news. There is need to evaluate knowledges of the patient on his/her disease.

Complete and adequate information must be associated with an early psychological (and sometimes social) help. It appears necessary for well-being of the patient but also maybe for his/her prognosis.