[The more the patient knows the better his or her position?].
Understanding patient empowerment predominantly as the provision of information is in line with an often articulated need of most patients. Especially, when information concerning death or survival is concerned physicians are urged to provide information honestly, openly and completely. However, this cannot mean to immerse patients in an ocean of facts unlimited but has to take into account the information needs and the information processing capacities of patients at any one time. This tightrope walk between giving too much and giving insufficient information can be assisted by certain communication techniques; it can be jeopardized by a lack of flexibility from the physician's side who follows his script rigidly without paying notice to the patient's reaction.
Langewitz
Wolf
W
Abteilung für Psychosomatik, Universitätsspital, Basel. wlangewitz@uhbs.ch
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology; D003142:Communication; D005260:Female; D005909:Glioblastoma / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D007206:Individuality; D008297:Male; D026706:Paternalism; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D010358:Patient Participation; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D011209:Power, Psychological; D011379:Prognosis; D012803:Sick Role; D014342:Truth Disclosure