Truth telling in palliative care nursing: the dilemmas of collusion.

摘要: Most patients diagnosed with a life threatening illness want to know the truth regarding their situation enable them plan remaining time family's future (Fallowfield 2002). In palliative care practice dilemmas and conflicts about truth-telling may involve collusion between health professionals patients' relatives withhold from patient. This article discusses ethical theory legal considerations pertaining in UK. It focuses on situations where adult patient is deemed be competent extends arguments beyond theoretical perspectives include emotional practical consequences of withholding truth. A case study serves highlight complex interplay these aspects author argues that they must all taken into account when making decisions truth-telling. The potential role nurse within context avoidance pitfalls are considered.