Medical Ethics: Truth Telling

Had my first case where I was confronted with an ethical dilemma, to share the news of a diagnosis with a patient or to honor the wishes of his mother which was to tell him he was "okay" and "going to get better". In this case, he was a permanent paraplegic and yes, he would probably get "better" but not in terms of ever walking again. I stumbled upon this situation when he asked me why he couldn't move his legs and I explained to him what happened...only to find out this kid who had been in the hospital 2 weeks had not been informed of his diagnosis (or at least he was still under too much medication to comprehend what happened). In the end, after I talked to him about his diagnosis his attitude changed to one of defiance, anger and frustration from what I now see as being confused and knowing something was wrong with him but no one telling him to a cooperative, grateful kid who was facing his future head on. He went from pulling out tubes (PEG tube, self extubating, pulling out IV's, etc!) to brushing his own teeth, suctioning his own mouth and helping to reposition himself as best he could. I think in this case, it was better to talk with him in a kind, gentle yet honest manner instead of acting like nothing was wrong.

http://depts.washington.edu/bioethx/topics/truth.html