Is it right for a Doctor to tell the patient that he is dying!

@mayka123 (16555)
India
September 10, 2008 5:52am CST
When a person is sick do you think it is right for the Doctor to tell the patient that he is about to die in a few hours or months or years?
10 people like this
22 responses
@Shaun72 (15959)
• Palatka, Florida
11 Sep 08
I don't think it is right . Unfortanly doctors look ar whatever is wrong with the person and the tests that have been took to decide how long that they think they will live. I think it is all in God's hands and he is the only person that knows how long a person will live.
@Shaun72 (15959)
• Palatka, Florida
23 Sep 08
That is very true also.
1 person likes this
@mayka123 (16555)
• India
22 Sep 08
Its true that only God knows how long a person will live. But sometimes our medical reports do say that we are not going to live for long. Its sometimes the result of these tests that sometimes frighten us.
@juhi06 (1850)
• India
10 Sep 08
obviously !! he should inform the patient or the attendants and tell the truth so that they can be prepared in the event of the eventuality!!
2 people like this
• Philippines
10 Sep 08
Of course the patient really need and they have the right to know what is their present situation with regards to their ailments and not giving them false hopes. And they can be prepared as well as their families what ever happens.
@mayka123 (16555)
• India
11 Sep 08
The patients family should be informed. But sometimes the patient may not take it rightly. May get into a state of shock and would probably die sooner. Especially if he does not have a good moral support from his family.
@jwfarrimond (4473)
7 Oct 08
Sure! the patient has a right to know and if it was me, I'd certainly want to know rather be lied to. However well meaning that might be, I'd rather know the truth.
1 person likes this
@mayka123 (16555)
• India
10 Oct 08
When I put this question to my self now I think it is right that the doctor tells the patient the truth. But 21 years ago when I was told by the doctor that I was going to die I was not able to accept the fact. In fact I went into a depression because of this. At that time I was not prepared to die. Probably because I was too young.
@cupid74 (11388)
• Pakistan
11 Sep 08
Hmmmm i am confused at some time points i think doc must not tell the patient and keep on doing efforts as u never know when Allah beecome kind and give patient health from Mortal disease On other hand i think it must be told so he can plan things as well It depend on situation, environment and person Take care
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@cupid74 (11388)
• Pakistan
11 Sep 08
u r right, thats why i am confused about it
1 person likes this
@mayka123 (16555)
• India
11 Sep 08
When I was told by the doctor many years ago I did not have any moral support around me and the doctors verdict made things very bad for me emotionally. Today I think I am able to handle this situation but was not able to do so 21 years ago!
@mayka123 (16555)
• India
11 Sep 08
Sometimes telling the truth does effect the patient so much and it does have an effect on the person mentally later. And if the family does not handle the situation properly it can become even worse for the patient.
@_sketch_ (5742)
• United States
22 Oct 08
No because I think that it could sort of make the person die. I think that just the negative thinking could make a big difference on how long a person will live. I know a lot of people are given just a few months or so and they end up living years and years. I think that the doctor should tell them that it is a possibility, but they should never act like it is a definite thing because it just isnt.
1 person likes this
@_sketch_ (5742)
• United States
23 Oct 08
Well I'm glad u r alive. Have a wonderful life!
1 person likes this
@artibg (292)
• Bulgaria
7 Oct 08
yes, i think it's right. After all, it's your life what is being talked about
1 person likes this
@mayka123 (16555)
• India
10 Oct 08
When I put this question to my self now I think it is right that the doctor tells the patient the truth. But 21 years ago when I was told by the doctor that I was going to die I was not able to accept the fact. In fact I went into a depression because of this. At that time I was not prepared to die. Probably because I was too young.
@riyasam (16556)
• India
12 Sep 08
i think it a doctors duty to tell the truth.but he should do it with all diplomacy.maybe tell his close relative first.
1 person likes this
@mayka123 (16555)
• India
23 Sep 08
Telling relatives about the patients health is the right thing to do. But I think when the patient himself is told he may die before his time......
@Ohara_1983 (4117)
• Kuwait
15 Sep 08
Actually they have the right to tell to family member of the patient the truth than just you see his feel sick & spend more time in bed without any change of sick person.
@mayka123 (16555)
• India
17 Sep 08
Telling the family members is right. But sometimes telling the patient can kill the patient before his time.
@vijigopi (991)
• United States
10 Sep 08
I cannot reply for everybody because each person's temperament is different. Some might die sooner if they know about it!! But if it was for me, I would definitely want to know, because I will be able to put my affairs in order, say goodbye to everybody and get ready for the moment!! No surprises for my dear ones and in that way they won't be shocked.
1 person likes this
@mayka123 (16555)
• India
3 Oct 08
I would say the family has to always know about the patients health. But telling the patient is not always good. Sometimes it would kill the patient before his time. It is not everyone who can take it in the right spirit.
@leafgxu (472)
• China
12 Sep 08
That is a very difficult to choose. But I think the patient have the right to know the truth even the truth would shock him strongly. Maybe tell a white lie could make the patient happy in the last days of his life but the patient may have something to do before he die. So I think the doctor could tell the truth to patient in a gentle way.
1 person likes this
@mayka123 (16555)
• India
27 Sep 08
You are right in saying that the doctor should tell the patient in a gentle way. But the patient should also take it in a gentle way. This news should not kill the person before he is supposed to die.
@bfarrier1 (2082)
• United States
13 Sep 08
I think that I myself would want to know so I could get everything in order,would I tell anyone probably not but that is just me. Have a great night.
1 person likes this
@mayka123 (16555)
• India
23 Sep 08
I dont think everyone would be in the right frame of mind to get things in order.
@rup011 (725)
• Germany
10 Sep 08
I guess its actually better to tell the truth. If a person knows that he does have much time, he can atleast take care of his remaining responsibilities. I know the person will be very upset. But life is really harsh and cruel. Its better to accept life that way and deal with it, instead of thinking it to be a bed of roses. If the dying person has no responsibilities, he can atleast fulfil his remaining wishes before dying. His soul will be satisfied and the doctor would really do a good task.
1 person likes this
@magojordan (3252)
• Philippines
11 Sep 08
I'm not a doctor but I think it is the right of every person to know the truth. I think it's really better for a doctor to say the truth immediately so that the patient would have time to prepare. They're just doing their job and imagine if they don't tell you the truth wouldn't it be more annoying?
1 person likes this
@mayka123 (16555)
• India
7 Oct 08
While at times it would be true that if the doctor hid the truth then it would be more annoying but it is not always that the patient is able to digest the truth. At times the truth could kill the patient before his time.
1 person likes this
@chiaeugene (2225)
• China
30 Sep 08
Yes, he should if not why do the patients see him in the first place. They seek consultation from doctors to understand their health status and find out what is wrong with their bodies. If not, why bother going to the doctor. It is the responsibility of the doctor to prepare his patients the worst or true status of their illness so as to allow them to settle their personal matters, like hnading over businesses, writing a will or whatever unfinish matters that the patient is currently doing. If the doctor hide the truth from the patients, the patients may involve themselves in activites or eat foods which aggreviate their illness as the doctor will not advise them against doing if he hide the truth. This will result in an even worse off situation for the patient and the doctor will be morally responsible.
1 person likes this
@alokn99 (5717)
• India
10 Sep 08
That is a judgement call to be taken by the doctor in conveying the information directly to the patient or the near and dear ones of the family. It depends on the age and condition of the patient. The information however has to be conveyed in whichever and whatever manner. It's one of the hardest things of the profession though.
1 person likes this
@sid556 (30960)
• United States
10 Oct 08
I'd want a doctor's honest evaluation. Of course, I'd want the doctor to also be optimistic and tell me if there were cases that beat the odd's etc and give me a bit of hope but bottom line, I'd want the truth.
1 person likes this
10 Sep 08
Yes, the patient has a right to know everything the doctor finds out about themselves. It gives them time to prepare, maybe write a will and tell there friends and family they love them.
@mayka123 (16555)
• India
12 Sep 08
At times it can have a very bad effect on the patients mind. He would probably die sooner than he has to.
• Singapore
10 Sep 08
i guess if i were the patient, i would rather the doctor be honest about it, so that i could prepare for it. at least i would know that i am not going to make it after some time. that way, i can at least do the things i had always wanted instead of still working and not knowing until the day i collapsed. however, the patient can choose not to know about the time he/she had left. otherwise the doctor should always be honest about it.
1 person likes this
@divinchris (2449)
• India
10 Sep 08
Ya.As a doctor he should tell the truth to the patient,if not to the patients relatives.He should never hide that truth from anyone.Even though it will affect that person a lot,the doctor should help him understand that he spent the rest of days happily with his family members.If not he will die suddenly without sharing his last moment of happiness with others in his life.God Bless all
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• Singapore
10 Sep 08
If the patient asked the doctor, I guess the he had to tell him/her the truth. Maybe not in a direct way like: "you are going to die in 7 days!!!" ~haha Normally doctors will inform the family members if the patient is dying soon. If my doctor tells me I still got 1 month to live I'll be super shock! Due to the impact of this news my life span will get further reduced to half a month!!! touch wood~
1 person likes this