Truthtelling

 

Possible Exceptions to Telling the Truth

patient waiver? - offer truth

incapacity - substitutue decision maker

medical emergency

'thereapeutic privilege' - has never worked in Canadian courts

cultural differences - but we can never know

 

When Considering not Telling the Truth:

• take time before acting
• try to find out what the patient really wants
• probe the patient's needs and background
• be explicit about goals and benefits soughts
• consider soucre of own discomfort
• imagine yourself in patients place
• seek out and consider nondeceptive alternatives
• seek advice
• imagine and prepare for revelation of deception
• take responsibility, both to patient and medical team