[Should we always tell everything? About the difficulties to manage prognosis]

Abstract

Patient autonomy should be respected when information is given about serious and life-threatening disease. The patient must be allowed to choose how much he or she wants to know concerning prognosis, and informed consent should be sought early on with regard to which level of autonomy the patient desires. A number of possible explanations as to why doctors conceal information from patients are discussed. Concealing information may damage the patient's trust in the physician. By not providing full information about a deadly disease, a physician may in turn be forced to bear the affliction of another's fears.