Dilemmas of disclosure to patients and colleagues when a therapist faces life-threatening illness.
This article highlights dilemmas imposed by disclosure and nondisclosure of a therapist's life-threatening illness to patients and colleagues. Literature is reviewed that illustrates a spectrum of circumstances and opinions, contrasting survivable with more complex or likely nonsurvivable conditions. In the case of a therapist's life-threatening illness, consultation regarding its effects on the treatment framework is appropriate and may include-while the therapist can still be a full participant in both processes-planning for both the continuity of patients' treatment and at times practice closure. This sensible, professional approach recognizes the patients' needs in the mourning process.
Philip
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D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011363:Professional Impairment; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D012650:Self Disclosure; D012947:Social Work