Right to Know for the Terminally Ill

[TheNoNamedOne]

In the U.S. when someone has been diagnosed as terminally ill, it is widely accepted that the patient has a right to know that they are terminal. That debate for the most part has run its course in the U.S., and often the only question is whether the family will tell the person or if the doctor will do so.

Most Americans are pretty strong willed and independent, and except for those under 18, I think that usually the patient inquires quickly enough after tests, that the doctor is usually the one to tell them -- albeit probably with family members or a spouse at their side when he does so.

In Japan, however, that debate still goes on, and some doctors leave it soley to the family to decide, which results in some people languishing towards death without ever getting the official word in a medical sense.

Do you think that the patient's right to know should be respected above the family members desire and belief in not wanting to cause more stress to the patient by protecting her from the news of impending death?

Would you want to know? Would you be angry if you held out false hope for getting better but then finally realize you had been lied to all along and that you were indeed definitely going to die soon? Think of all the things you could have tried to accomplish finishing had you known that time was running out, rather than sitting in bed thinking it was best to rest in order to get better.

Generally, at what age would you decide it is ok to tell a child, or should all those under 18 (or some other age) be spared the truth?

[Asshat]

I think the patient has the right to know. I expect that at some point in the discussion, one has to assertain the ability of the patient to be able to absorb the truth however.

Thus the only stipulations on telling the patient would be age of majority, and the attending physician's judgement on the mental stability of the patient.

The sane, or cognizant person would most likely feel the need to make some sort of closure upon notification of terminal illness. It seems only fair that this be accomplished.

[P_chan]

I think they have a right to know no matter what their age is. It is their body and they should know what is going on with it.

Sure it would be very hard to tell a young child about it but it has to be done.

[DoctorP]

I think they have a right to know no matter what their age is. It is their body and they should know what is going on with it.

Sure it would be very hard to tell a young child about it but it has to be done.

Exactly! I agree with you completely. Even though it may be difficult for someone to inform a child, it still must be done. With all of the stuff going around these days about abortion and what is a living person and what is not, I do not see how anyone could say otherwise. True, a 5 year old may not wholly understand what is happening, it is still necessary to inform.

Along with that, it is imperative that the person dieing be notified first, then the next of kin should be also notified. The reason I say the next of kin should be notified, is that there will be a lot of paperwork and planning that must be done and usually (not always) it is performed by the next of kin. If you have never personally laid someone to rest, you will not fully understand what I speak of. Trust me, it is a headache!

[Tempestuous]

Along with that, it is imperative that the person dieing be notified first, then the next of kin should be also notified. The reason I say the next of kin should be notified, is that there will be a lot of paperwork and planning that must be done and usually (not always) it is performed by the next of kin. If you have never personally laid someone to rest, you will not fully understand what I speak of. Trust me, it is a headache!

with the legality issues in the US, the patient/Doctor confidentiality hubb-bubb I don't know if we could see this happen.
But yes, there are a lot of things that are best done in advance rather than dealing with at the same time as losing your loved one.

[Tempestuous]

In the U.S. when someone has been diagnosed as terminally ill, it is widely accepted that the patient has a right to know that they are terminal. That debate for the most part has run its course in the U.S., and often the only question is whether the family will tell the person or if the doctor will do so.
.............
Generally, at what age would you decide it is ok to tell a child, or should all those under 18 (or some other age) be spared the truth?

I am an honest person. I feel that all should know their diagnosis. On the same note, I have known many people given a terminal sentence, I mean diagnosis, that are still alive today or surpassed their diagnosed "time left" by a long way.

Just because you have been diagnosed by an educated guesser (otherwise known as a doctor) doesn't mean for certain, beyond all shadow of a doubt, you will be dead when they say you will be.

You should prep your family, your paperwork, etc so it is ready when the time comes (though we all should, you never know if you will make it home from your drive to work) but I don't think it is right to stop living or expect those with terminal diagnosis's to just "except" the diagnosis and give up living because of it.

I am not saying to live on false hope either, I mean go about your business, get your affairs in order and do what you can to enjoy what could be your last days, go round of the holiday cycles or what not but don't be limited by the words of your diagnosis. Do what your body will still let you do.