Exclusive Ethics Survey Results: Doctors Struggle With Tougher-Than-Ever Dilemmas

November 11, 2010

Patient Treatment Issues

7. Would you ever prescribe a treatment that's a placebo, simply because the patient wanted treatment?

Yes, 23.5%
No, 58.3%
It depends, 18.2%

8. Would you ever undertreat a patient's pain because you're concerned about repercussions or because you believe that a patient -- even a terminal patient -- might become addicted?

Yes, 5.6%
No, 84.1%
It depends, 10.3%

9. Would you hide information from a patient about a terminal or preterminal diagnosis in an effort to bolster their spirit or attitude?

Yes, I soften it and give hope even if there's little chance, 14.6%
Yes, unless someone is going to die imminently, I don't tell them how bad it is, 1.7%
No, I tell it exactly as I see it, 59.8%
It depends, 23.8%

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Cite this: Leslie Kane. Exclusive Ethics Survey Results: Doctors Struggle With Tougher-Than-Ever Dilemmas - Medscape - Nov 11, 2010.

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