Iranian Physicians and Patients Attitude toward Truth Telling of Cancer

Abstract

Background: Truth telling is found as one of the most important issues in physician-patient communication and all of the physicians are concerned with it in some way. As disclosure (or truth reticence) would cause ethical or legal problems, this study aimed to assess the attitude of patients and physicians about truth telling. Methods: In this descriptive study, 50 physicians and 150 patients with cancer were envolved in Isfahan, Iran. Two standardized attitude questionnaires were used for physicians and patients. Data were analyzed by SPSS software. Findings: About 88% of patients and 90% of physicians agreed truth telling for patients in early stage of cancer. 78% of patients and 72% of physicians were agreed truth telling for patients with terminal stage cancer. Both physicians and patients were agreed frankness in telling the diagnosis; they separated no effect for patient socioeconomic condition on truth telling. In both groups, doctor was the best person for telling the cancer diagnosis. Doctor office and quiet and undisturbed room were the best places for truth telling in patients and physiciansviewpoints, respectively. Conclusion: Noticing the obtained results in our society culture, the majority of patients and physicians had positive attitude about truth telling to patients in different stages of cancer.

Keywords

• Truth telling
• Cancer
• Patients
• Physicians
• Attitude