Table 2.
Physicians' attitudes toward disclosure of cancer diagnosis and prognosis (n=86)
| Vignette | Frequency (%) | |
|---|---|---|
| Agree | Disagree | |
| If the patient has a diagnosis of early stage cancer | ||
| The doctor should tell the patient, and also let the patient decide whether or not their family should be told | 78 (90.7) | 8 (9.3) |
| The doctor should tell the patient’s family, and also let them decide whether or not the patient should be told | 40 (46.5) | 46 (53.5) |
| Assume the family has been told and they do not want the patient to be told; the doctor should tell the patient anyway | 65 (75.6) | 21 (24.4) |
| If the patient has a diagnosis of advanced-stage cancer | ||
| The doctor should tell the patient, and also let the patient decide whether or not their family should be told | 68 (79.1) | 18 (20.9) |
| The doctor should tell the patient’s family, and also let them decide whether or not the patient should be told | 44 (51.2) | 42 (48.8) |
| Assume the family has been told and they do not want the patient to be told; the doctor should tell the patient anyway | 63 (73.3) | 23 (26.7) |