Abstract

ORDONEZ VAZQUEZ, Norma Alicia  and  MONROY NASR, Zuraya. Doctor-Patient Communication in End-Stage Cancer Patients: a View From the Experience of Family. rev.latinoam.bioet. [online]. 2021, vol.21, n.2, pp.11-24.  Epub Dec 31, 2021. ISSN 1657-4702.  https://doi.org/10.18359/rlbi.4837.

One of the priority elements in medical ethics is the physician-patient relationship. Communication is essential so patients and their families can make decisions at the end of life. The main aim of this article is to be aware, from the experience of patients with terminal cancer relatives, the timely information provided by the physician about the prognosis and conditions of the patient to make decisions that alleviate discomfort or suffering. A qualitative study was carried out starting from the phenomenological hermeneutic paradigm, which allows us to know the perception people have of the world in which they live and the meaning they give it. Eleven family members and primary caregivers were interviewed using the van Manen's thematic analysis and method. The experience of family members shows that some patients did not receive information about their condition and prognosis. It can be concluded that some of the physicians need training through meetings where a mental health professional leads sessions on emotions to cope with situations related to death and manage distress.

Keywords : physician-patient relationship; medical ethics; hermeneutic phenomenology; patient autonomy; charity.

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