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The Option to Tell the Truth?
Every so often I drift away from eyeballs and optics to discuss other dimensions of medical care. This is one of those times.
This week I am assigned to give a medical ethics lecture to the resident physicians in our department. The topic is 'Truth-Telling' in the clinical environment.
Did you know that the Hippocratic Oath does not obligate the physician to tell the truth? Centuries ago healers were actually encouraged to dispense falsehoods lest the patient give up any hope. Many modern Codes of Ethics still avoid use of the word 'truth'.
I find this all very confusing, but that may be because of my background.
As a West Point cadet I pledged not to lie, cheat or steal, nor tolerate anyone who did. It was our Honor Code. Yes, I probably see too many things as black or white because of that pledge.
Contemporary medical ethicists have redefined truth and non-truths. Supposedly, doctors are not always obligated to tell the truth. All falsehoods are not lies! The truth is required only if the listener has the right to the truth and the person has a reasonable expectation of being told the truth. I guess the second part explains why used-car dealers don't perform surgery.
Click here to review a well-circulated essay about medical truth-telling.
Call me old-school, but my life is far too busy to microdissect such truth-telling ground rules. Everybody gets the truth from me. If it is bad news I deliver it gently with compassion. I leave time for questions and I make myself accessible afterwards.
Long ago my father told me, "If you are going to be a successful liar you'll have to have a powerful memory." That leaves me out. I can't remember who won last year's Final Four!
Related Topics: Health Care Comes to Reality TV, 7 Key Traits of the Ideal Doctor
Technorati Tags: medical ethics, truth in medicine
This week I am assigned to give a medical ethics lecture to the resident physicians in our department. The topic is 'Truth-Telling' in the clinical environment.
Did you know that the Hippocratic Oath does not obligate the physician to tell the truth? Centuries ago healers were actually encouraged to dispense falsehoods lest the patient give up any hope. Many modern Codes of Ethics still avoid use of the word 'truth'.
I find this all very confusing, but that may be because of my background.
As a West Point cadet I pledged not to lie, cheat or steal, nor tolerate anyone who did. It was our Honor Code. Yes, I probably see too many things as black or white because of that pledge.
Contemporary medical ethicists have redefined truth and non-truths. Supposedly, doctors are not always obligated to tell the truth. All falsehoods are not lies! The truth is required only if the listener has the right to the truth and the person has a reasonable expectation of being told the truth. I guess the second part explains why used-car dealers don't perform surgery.
Click here to review a well-circulated essay about medical truth-telling.
Call me old-school, but my life is far too busy to microdissect such truth-telling ground rules. Everybody gets the truth from me. If it is bad news I deliver it gently with compassion. I leave time for questions and I make myself accessible afterwards.
Long ago my father told me, "If you are going to be a successful liar you'll have to have a powerful memory." That leaves me out. I can't remember who won last year's Final Four!
Related Topics: Health Care Comes to Reality TV, 7 Key Traits of the Ideal Doctor
Technorati Tags: medical ethics, truth in medicine
