The Ethics of Disclosure - Perspectives of Radiation Therapists and Patients Regarding Disclosure of Radiation Therapy Errors

Abstract

The ethical principles of veracity and patient autonomy suggestthat patients should be informed of any errors that occur during their care. A survey of Radiation Therapists (RT's) and patients undergoing radiation therapy was used to obtain data regarding attitudes toward disclosure of errors that may occur during a course of radiation therapy treatment. Both RT's and patients agreed that potentially significant errors should be disclosed. Opinions differed about insignificant or correctable errors. Patients wanted these to be disclosed but RT's did not wish to do so. The survey suggests patients want to be more autonomous in their care and support a practice of disclosure. RT's tend to have a more paternalistic attitude toward disclosure, invoking the rationale of therapeutic privilege as cause for non-disclosure. Increased education about principles of bioethics is suggested as a method of changing attitudes in this regard.