Truth telling to the patient
Article Abstract:
In Italy, many patients are never told the truth about their disease, although their families are usually told. A 1991 study of 1,171 breast cancer patients in Italy found that less than half (47%) were told they had cancer. This philosophy originates in the Greek and Latin foundations of Italian medicine, which stress that only information that benefits the patient should be given. Many Italians are uncomfortable dealing with sickness and death, and they believe in protecting their sick relatives from information that could be distressing. In addition, they believe that they can never know enough about their illnesses to participate completely in their own care. Many Americans are much more vocal about their desire for information about their condition. The situation in Italy is changing as more bioethics courses are taught in universities; in addition, the Italian Deontology Code was revised in 1989 to encourage doctors to be as truthful as possible with their patients.
Publication Name: JAMA, The Journal of the American Medical Association
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0098-7484
Year: 1992
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
Patient's genes may influence quality of life after cancer chemotherapy
Article Abstract:
An individual's genetic structure may play a major role in the aspects of the quality of life, such as levels of fatigue by following cancer chemotherapy. Genetic structure may influence the individual patient's quality of life during the treatment.
Publication Name: JAMA, The Journal of the American Medical Association
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0098-7484
Year: 2004
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
- Abstracts: Black-white disparities in health care. The Patient Self-Determination Act: on balance, more help than hindrance
- Abstracts: The effect of debulking surgery after induction chemotherapy on the prognosis in advanced epithelial ovarian cancer
- Abstracts: Primary care patients who refuse specialized mental health services. The role of the primary care physician
- Abstracts: Bone scan as a stratification variable in advanced prostate cancer. The role of prostate-specific antigen as part of the diagnostic triad and as a guide when to perform a biopsy
- Abstracts: Serotonin receptors and headache. Chronic daily headache. Double trouble for type 1 angiotensin receptors in atherosclerosis