What have you been told about your illness? Information about diagnosis among psychiatric inpatients

In current psychiatric practice clinicians tend to share with patients information regarding their illness. However, little is known about what the patients would in fact like to know about their diagnosis and prognosis.

We have conducted a cross-sectional survey among psychiatric inpatients, to explore what they believe is wrong with them, what they have been told and by whom, and what they wish to know about their illness.

The results have shown that 80% of the patients received some information about their illness and 37% of the participants had satisfactory insight. However only 46% of the participants declared that they wished to know what was wrong with them.

We conclude that although many patients would like to know the truth, the rights of those who do not wish to know should also be respected. Therefore the diagnosis of mental disorder should not be routinely disclosed, but mental health professionals should take into consideration their patients' preferences and act appropriately to their choice. (Int J Psych Clin Pract 2002; 6: 103-106).