PHLB09H3 Lecture 5: PHLB09-LECTURE 5
PHLB09- Lecture 5 Truth-telling
• What’s so hard aout truth-telling
o You ould assue our dotor’s ad pratitioers to tell the truth
o But the truth is that we lie everyday sometimes for the well being of others
o hite lies = good lie that eefits others
o ^beneficence- sometimes its k to not tell the truth in terms of health care
o 1980- is when telling the truth became more important
o beneficence was a major player for a long time because they believed that you
should always do good then later on autonomy became more important
o CASE: KAREN pg 131-132
▪ She had cancer and she had 2 weeks to live but should the doctor tell the
truth because he does’t at to rui the last 2 eeks of her life
▪ The dotor deided to lie ad ot tell her that she’s goig to die ut he tries
to make her last 2 weeks more comfortable
o Lipki: You should’t lie ad deeie patiets eept for etree reasos
o Cullen and Klien: Its ok to deceive if deemed necessary
o Confidentiality: telling the truth about patient to OTHER people
▪ You ould assue that our dotor o’t epose details of our life to the
public
• Arguments Against Confidentiality (beneficence)
o If patients knew that you would expose their details they will be less likely to confide
o Patients could also get discriminated against for something that your doctor chose
to expose
• Arguments Against Confidentiality (Autonomy)
o Patient autonomy means that you have the right to choose what you do with a
perso’s priate iforatio
o To break a promise with your patients is a disrespect for their autonomy
• Typical Exception for Confidentiality
o 1. Communicable diseases (if there is a risk to the public)
o 2. Risk of harm to oneself or another
o 3. Evidence of abuse or assault
• Cultural Difference in truth-telling
o The Italian Medical Association is ok with lying to the patients but not her family to
prevent any risks that might affect their family or friends in the future
• Lipkin: O Tellig Patiets the Truth
find more resources at oneclass.com
find more resources at oneclass.com
