ABSTRACT
When life-threatening illnesses sometimes appear full-blown, out of the blue, doctors conduct a series of tests to determine the nature and etiology of the illness. In the case of rare diseases, the investigative procedures may take several weeks, during which the patient's condition may deteriorate dramatically, and the patient may become severely confused, frightened, and distressed. What effects do such stressful states have upon the patient's well-being and eventual recovery? For the hospital staff, the care of the patient raises several critical issues. How should a patient be dealt with in such situations? What should patients be told or not told? By whom? How? What ought to be the nature of doctor-patient and nurse-patient relationships? These issues are examined on the basis of personal experiences of the author, who was a patient in a London hospital a few years ago. Factors associated with severe stress and viable strategies for the successful management of a life-threatening illness are considered in detail.
