Diagnosis and prognosis disclosure to dying adult cancer patients part۱, physician attitude

A total ۱۱۹ physicians were interviewed to examine whether the diagnosis and prognosis of cancer should be communicated to terminally ill cancer patients. ۵۳(۴۴.۵℅) of the physicians were not involved in the management of the patients who had recently died of cancer. ۵۶(۸۴℅) of the physicians who had patients didn't discuss the diagnosis and ۶۲(۹۳.۹℅) the prognosis with their patients who had recently died of cancer, though ۶۵.۵℅ of the physicians believed always and ۷.۶℅ sometimes the diagnosis and prognosis must be communicated. Perceived social class was found to be associated with patients awareness and discussion with physicians. The main reason given for not discussing the diagnosis with the patients was physicians fear of patients anxiety, distress and emotional reactions.

Keywords:

cancer patients , diagnosis and prognosis disclosure