The Pros And Cons Of Withholding Medical Information
Physician are able to not disclosed potentially distressing prognostic or diagnostic medical information if believe will be detrimental to patient's well-being. The belief of withholding medical information can be viewed as physicians fulfilling their obligations to act honorably and to promoting patient's overall well-being. The practice of nondisclosure was established by Western medical ethics, such as Percival's Medical Ethics, which promotes withholding medical information to minimized patient's distress. The American Medical Association AMA Code of Medical Ethics in 1847 also states a physician had a "sacred duty to avoid all things which have a tendency to discourage the patients and depress his spirit." These guidelines help to establish