The Importance of Psychiatrists' Telling Patients the Truth
WILLIAM S. APPLETON M.D.1
1 Psychiatrist, Massachusetts Mental Health Center, and Assistant Clinical Professor of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, 74 Fenwood Rd., Boston, Mass. 02115
Although psychiatrists advocate that physicians be honest with their patients. they themselves frequently withhold information from their patients. Their fear may stem from uncertainty about various aspects of an illness or a desire not to alienate the patient. The author believes that being informed helps the patient find solutions to his problems and results in more effective therapy.
