| Most doctors dread the conversation with | | | | defense and denial mechanism in the patient, even |
| patients where they have to tell them that their | | | | anger and verbal abuse on the doctor. |
| treatment has not worked and their cancer is not | | | | However, if it is done properly the patient will |
| curable. Telling a patient that they are going to die | | | | appreciate it and thank the doctor for being |
| is a difficult thing for a doctor, but it is something | | | | honest with them and telling them the truth. |
| that the patient needs to know and deserves to | | | | When doctors do not tell patients the truth, they |
| know. | | | | do an injustice in that the patient may not take |
| They also have the legal right to know. There are | | | | care of personal financial business, family visits or |
| some patients that do not want to know initially if | | | | even finalize their will. |
| they are going to die or not. | | | | This causes problems later. In cases where the |
| Yet, eventually they do wish to know and it is | | | | patient has not been told over 75% of the time |
| important to break the news to them in the | | | | the doctor did not feel comfortable telling the |
| proper way and when they are emotionally ready. | | | | patient, but the patient really did want to know |
| Often, they will ask; "am I curable," "should I be | | | | even though they may have been silent or been |
| getting a second opinion," or "so, it's not working | | | | perceived to have not wished to know. |
| is it?" | | | | Giving a patient false hope is about the most cruel |
| This is the point at which the doctor needs to | | | | and unusual punishment you can give, say some |
| level with them and discuss this in a careful way. | | | | psychologists. It's just inherently unfair they say; |
| If the doctor is too blunt, too soon, it will cause a | | | | please consider this. |