ABSTRACT
An examination of trends in clinician behaviour in Western cultures over three decades reveals a move away from a paternalistic style, characterised by providing minimal information to patients (Oken 1961). Previously, doctors usually withheld detailed
information regarding cancer diagnosis, prognosis and treatment options in the belief that such information would cause the patient excessive fear, anxiety and loss of hope, thus worsening patient outcomes (Oken 1961; Mosconi et al. 1991; Girgis and Sanson-Fisher, 1995). Various reasons have been offered to account for this shift in clinician behaviour, including: (1) an increased fear of litigation among physicians, (2) the publication of guidelines for the disclosure of diagnoses (Reiser 1980), (3) more effective therapies for cancer patients through technological advancement and (4) a change in public opinion regarding patients’ rights to medical information and full disclosure (Thomasma 1983).
