2262 – Community's Attitude Toward Cancer Diagnosis Disclosure

Abstract

Objectives

Bad news is ''any news that adversely and seriously affects an individual's view of his or her future and it is usually perceived to be related to incurable diagnosis or diagnosis leading to death. The physicians should not uncover main information especially about the future or present patient's situation, Today more than ever patient's legal and ethical right to understand the reality of his disease is respected This study was carried out to probe Iran community's attitude toward breaking bad news.

Method

This was a cross-sectional study in which 200 patients' companions in various wards of Afzalipour Hospital in Kerman were included. Data were entered in the questionnaires designed to evaluate people's attitude toward giving bad news and its quality.

Results

93 percent preferred to get aware of diagnosis in a supposed cancer situation. The majority agreed with expressing treatment strategies, complications, cure probability and estimated survival. Most agreed that decision making should be based on physician priorities, with having patients' desire in mind.

Conclusion

In terms of giving bad news, physicians ought to build up a more efficacious relationship with patients regarding their individual needs and requests.