Diagnosis and prognosis disclosure to dying adult cancer patients. Part 1: Physician attitude

Abstract: A total of 119 physicians were interviewed to examine whether the diagnosis and prognosis of cancer should be communicated to terminally ill cancer patients. 53 (44.5%) of the physicians were not involved in the management of the patients who had recently died of cancer. 56 (84%) of the physicians who had patients didn’t discuss the diagnosis and 62 (93.9%) the prognosis with their patients who had recently died of cancer, though 65.5% of the physicians believed always and 7.6% 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 physician’s fear of patients anxiety, distress and emotional reactions. Keywords: Cancer patients, Diagnosis and prognosis disclosu