[The announcement of a serious diagnosis].
The diagnosis of an illness or a serious handicap is a traumatic event for the patient. Beyond the shock generated by the disease or the handicap, the conditions surrounding the announcement have a determining impact on the reactions of the patient and the course of care. The announcement of the diagnosis can reduce or reinforce the shock. This article analyses the psychological risks which underlie the announcement of a serious diagnosis. The traumatic impact of a serious diagnosis, the possible reactions of and the psychological consequences for the patient are described. Recommendations regarding an announcement plan are proposed. Finally, the possible follow-up for the patients as well as for the caretakers are discussed.
Consultation spécialisée de psychotraumatisme du Val-de-Marne, CHU Henri-Mondor, 94000 Créteil, France. helene.romano@hmn.aphp.fr
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D006801:Humans; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D014342:Truth Disclosure