Attitudes of Cancer Specialists toward Their Patients in Greece

Abstract

A three-part questionnaire was mailed to Greek cancer specialists practicing in the two largest cities of Greece. Part I addressed the question of telling the truth to the cancer patient, Part II the question of telling the truth to the terminal cancer patient, and Part III investigated the psychological difficulties of the above specialists in the care of their patients. Most of the Greek cancer specialists (73%) chose not to tell the diagnosis to the cancer patient and an even greater majority (95%) prefer not to inform the terminal cancer patient of his impending death. A considerable number of them, though (41%), favor a change towards telling the cancer patient his true diagnosis. Furthermore, two thirds of them admit to psychological problems in their contact with the cancer patient and subscribe to the need for specific psychiatric training to improve the care of their patients.

The Greek Cancer Patient’s Knowledge and Attitudes toward His Diagnosis and Prognosis

“…Similar studies which took place in other countries are the study of Kelly and Friesen [4] in the USA (1950) and the study of Aitken-Swan and Easson [1] in England (1959), countries where the policy about telling the truth that time [7] was similar to our current policy [5].…”

“…Since in a previous study [5], a consider able number of Greek cancer specialists felt the same -changing the policy towards tell ing the truth -it seems to us that the Greek cancer specialist might feel freer to inform his cancer patients in general. It is more a matter, though, of the amount of informa tion given to the patient that has to be mon itored.…”

“…A previous study addressed to Greek cancer specialists found that though the majority of them prefer not to tell the truth to their patients, still 41 % of them favor a change towards telling the patient his true diagnosis [5], But what would the cancer patient him self prefer? This study is an attempt to draw an image of the Greek cancer patient's per ceptions, feelings and behavior in relation to his life-threatening disease.…”

Disclosure of Diagnostic Information to Cancer Patients in Greece

“…10 The opportunity for a full disclosure of diagnosis to cancer patients is a subject of debate. Undoubtedly the pattern of the doctor-patient relationship varies in different countries and cultures.v'<" and this should be taken into account when problems of truth telling and informed consent are discussed.…”

Communicating in a multicultural society II: Greek community attitudes towards cancer in Australia

“…A survey of Greek cancer patients in 1988 17 reported that under half (49%) wanted to know if they had cancer; the majority agreed with the policy of withholding truth from the patient. Similarly, in a survey of Greek cancer specialists in 1981, 18 73% chose not to tell the true diagnosis and an even greater majority (95%) preferred not to inform the terminal cancer patient of their approaching death. A repeat survey in 1986 19 showed no change, with 88% usually not disclosing the diagnosis to the patient, although every doctor told the family.…”