The Truth About Death

Physicians are often not candid with dying patients about how much time they have, a study finds.  Just 37% of doctors surveyed for the report in today's Annals of Internal Medicine say they would give a candid survival estimate to terminally ill cancer patients who asked how long they had to live.  The doctors say they would give either no estimate or one that is different from what they believed was correct, according to the study.  In 23% of the cases, doctors say they would not give patients any estimate, even if specifically asked.  In 40% of the cases, physicians said they would knowingly give an inaccurate estimate- with three-fourths of them saying they would paint a more positive picture than they really believed.  The University of Chicago Medical Center researchers did not ask why the doctors would take such an approach.  They speculate however, that the doctors were trying to spare their patients anguish or were afraid that bad news could make their condition worse.  (as reported in USA Today, June 19, 2001)