Emendata

Much debate is generated in recent years by people who hold different opinions on whether or not terminally ill patients should be withheld from the information of their true condition.

While concerns exist that telling patients they are terminally ill may create more suffering than it will relieve, patients have every right to know their true condition and being informed better their decision making in various aspects, thus, in my opinion, terminally ill patients should not be withheld from their true condition.

First, physicians are under a legal duty to disclose material information and satisfy patients’ right to be informed.

According to the Regulation for Medical Malpractice Disposal, clause 62: The medical institution shall respect the patient's right to be informed of the diagnosis and treatment of his/her condition, and shall make necessary explanations to the patient during their special examination and treatment.

Terminally illness is a stage of disease development defined by medical scientists through analysis of large numbers of clinical cases, and thus should be explained while giving medical advice.

Second, for terminally ill patients, understanding of an eventually fatal prognosis is beneficial to their decision making in various aspects.

From the medical treatments they would like to receive to decisions around finances, guardianship and future health care etc, the decision making is all based on the information patients have received from their doctor.

If well informed in time, they would have more time to consider their future plan on how to spend the rest of time and on their family arrangement.

Last but not least, though the ignorance and fear of death exist in us, death is not something to be hidden from, instead, it is what we all should face bravely.

Death is more than the end of life, it provokes thoughts upon who we are, what we have done in our life and where we will be going.

It would be a pity that one misses the chance to make serious and thorough reflection on death before his life comes to an end.

Death is an important part of our life and should be faced, thought and finally accepted.