Information of patients with life-threatening diseases: A survey of the attitude of Portuguese family practitioners

Abstract

BackgroundFamily practice is the specialty with the highest number of doctors and covers all of Portugal, but, as far as we know, no studies have been carried out on the attitudes and practices of Portuguese family practice doctors about breaking bad news. However, the attitude of these doctors may have a high impact on patients. ObjectiveTo study the practice of family physicians on breaking bad news. MethodsA questionnaire, specifically developed for this survey, was given to 196 doctors about 10% of the family physicians of Northern Portugal. ResultsOne hundred fifty-nine (81%) of them participated in this study. The median age was 43 (26–64) and 108 (68%) of them were female. One hundred and seven (67%) doctors disclosed on principle the diagnosis and that rate rose to 81% when patients requested the disclosure. One hundred and two (64%) proactively questioned patients about their wish to know the diagnosis and then decided whether to convey it or not. Forty-seven 47 (30%) doctors disclosed the prognosis on principle and that rate rose to 48% when patients requested the disclosure. Seventy-three (46%) often questioned patients proactively about their wish to know the prognosis and then decided whether to convey it or not. One hundred and two (64%) doctors frequently include patients in treatment decisions. Physicians think that the disclosure may affect hope but may also give patients more control of the situation. ConclusionFamily practitioners disclose the diagnosis of a chronic life-threatening disease often, especially at patients’ request. General practitioners do not disclose the prognosis of a life-threatening disease often, even at patients’ request.