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Erschienen in: Journal of Bioethical Inquiry 1/2018

01.03.2018 | Original Research

Truth Disclosure Practices of Physicians in Jordan

verfasst von: Saif M. Borgan, Justin Z. Amarin, Areej K. Othman, Haya H. Suradi, Yasmeen Z. Qwaider

Erschienen in: Journal of Bioethical Inquiry | Ausgabe 1/2018

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Abstract

Disclosure of health information is a sensitive matter, particularly in the context of serious illness. In conservative societies—those which predominate in the developing world—direct truth disclosure undoubtedly presents an ethical conundrum to the modern physician. The aim of this study is to explore the truth disclosure practices of physicians in Jordan, a developing country. In this descriptive, cross-sectional study, 240 physicians were initially selected by stratified random sampling. The sample was drawn from four major hospitals in Amman, Jordan. A closed-ended questionnaire was distributed and completed by self-report. A total of 164 physicians completed the questionnaire. Thirty-seven physicians (23 per cent) usually withheld the diagnosis of “serious illness” from patients, while 127 physicians (77 per cent) usually divulged the information directly. Among the latter, 108 physicians (86 per cent) made exceptions to their disclosure policy. Specialists were more likely to withhold health information (p = 0.04998). Non-disclosure was primarily motivated by request from the patient’s family (seventy-one participants, 54 per cent). In twenty cases (15 per cent), non-disclosure was undertaken independently. In conclusion, most respondents opt to disclose the truth; however, the vast majority of these respondents make exceptions. Instances of non-disclosure are primarily motivated by sociocultural constructs.
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Metadaten
Titel
Truth Disclosure Practices of Physicians in Jordan
verfasst von
Saif M. Borgan
Justin Z. Amarin
Areej K. Othman
Haya H. Suradi
Yasmeen Z. Qwaider
Publikationsdatum
01.03.2018
Verlag
Springer Singapore
Erschienen in
Journal of Bioethical Inquiry / Ausgabe 1/2018
Print ISSN: 1176-7529
Elektronische ISSN: 1872-4353
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11673-018-9837-x

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