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Vol.37 No.6 contents | Japanese/English |
- Original Article -
Difference in Opinion on the Truth-telling and Treatment of Lung Cancer in Patients, Family, and Medical Staff
Takashi Oishi1, Yasunobu Noda1, Hideo Gonda1, Yoshimasa Tanikawa1, Kenzo Takagi2, Ryujiro Suzuki2, Hiroyuki Taniguchi3, Yasuhiro Kondoh3, Junya Ikuta3 and Nobuyasu Araki41Department of Respiratory Medicine and Allergy, Toyohashi Municipal Hospital, 2Second Department of Internal Medicine, Nagoya University School of Medicine, 3Department of Respiratory Medicine, Tosei General Hospital, 4Department of Internal Medicine, Atsumi Hospital
We sent out a questionnaire on the truth-telling and treatment of lung cancer to three groups: 1) patients who will take part in a fibroptic bronchoscopic survey, 2) their families, and 3) the medical staff consisting of nurses, doctors, and technicians. Each group was found to have its own opinion. Patients wished to be told the truth even though their families objected to their being told the truth. The families tended to oppose the patients' opinion if it were opposite to theirs. This pattern could be seen more frequently among younger patients and their families. The medical staff did not always agree with telling the patient, however, they tended to respect the patient's wishes in the end. By evaluating and comprehending the differences among the three groups, we could develop the most appropriate approach to each patient. Therefore, questionnaires act as a good tool to establish a better understanding of truth-telling for the patient and family.
key words: Truth-telling, Lung cancer, Doctor, Nurse, Informed consent
Received: August 4, 1997
Accepted: September 1, 1997
JJLC 37 (6): 877-886, 1997
