A 55-year-old woman on ICU is asked by her family to withhold a diagnosis of terminal cancer from her. The family states she would 'not cope with the ...

Question

A 55-year-old woman on ICU is asked by her family to withhold a diagnosis of terminal cancer from her. The family states she would 'not cope with the news.' The patient has capacity and has been asking about her test results. What is the correct ethical and legal position?

Accepted Answer

The patient has a right to know her diagnosis - a capacitous patient who asks for information about their condition must be given honest and accurate information; therapeutic privilege (withholding information in the patient's interests) is very narrowly defined and does not apply when the patient is actively asking

Answer

Withhold the diagnosis as the family has requested

Answer

Only tell the patient if she signs a consent form

Answer

Tell the family first and let them decide when to tell the patient

Answer

Never discuss diagnosis with any patient

uk-fficm MCQ (SBA): Disclosure of Diagnosis

A 55-year-old woman on ICU is asked by her family to withhold a diagnosis of terminal cancer from her. The family states she would 'not cope with the news.' The patient has capacity and has been asking about her test results. What is the correct ethical and legal position?