title: To tell or not to tell? Revealing the diagnosis in multiple sclerosis.
abstract: We review briefly (1) the history of patient-physician relationship and its evolution from a physician-centered to patient-centered model; (2) the impact of the McDonald Criteria for Multiple Sclerosis (MS); (3) why it is important to tell patients of their diagnosis; (4) how physicians should disclose the diagnosis to patients; (5) dealing with suspected MS; and (6) prognosis and treatment. For the majority of clinically definite MS patients we advocate disclosure, identify steps for physicians to communicate the diagnosis and propose a framework to follow when revealing a diagnosis of MS.
authors: Institute for Science, Ethics and Innovation, Centre for Social Ethics and Policy, School of Law, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL, UK. Electronic address: raphael_anna@hotmail.com.
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Raphael
authors: Neuroscience Centre, Blizard Institute of Cell and Molecular Science, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, 4 Newark Street, London E1 2AT, UK.
authors: C H
authors: CH
authors: Hawkes
authors: Department of Neurology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, New Hampshire 03756, USA.
authors: J L
authors: JL
authors: Bernat
keywords: Communication techniques; Disclosure of Diagnosis; Impact of McDonald criteria; Multiple sclerosis; Patient-centered model; Prognosis