Truth-Telling and Information Disclosure Based on Cultural Beliefs

An 80-year-old Asian woman is hospitalized with weight loss, generalized weakness and a pulmonary mass. Work-up reveals that she has pulmonary tuberculosis. Her family approaches the physician and asks that the patient not be told, stating that in her upbringing in mainland China tuberculosis was considered fatal and to tell her would be like giving her “a death sentence.”

• Should the family’s concerns be respected? Why or Why Not?
• What legal and ethical issues should be considered? Why?

Apply Theory (Specific Professional Healthcare Competencies + Clinical Medical Ethical Principles) to Practice in order to provide Optimal Patient-Centered Care (OPCC)