A 90-year-old patient who is alert and oriented, but has age-related memory loss, is diagnosed with metastatic colon cancer. His daughter, who accompanies him on all his visits to your office, asks you, the primary care provider, not to share this diagnosis with him. She states, “I’m worried that this will make him anxious and depressed.” “What good will it do for him to know at his age?”
- What are your thoughts regarding this? How would you respond?
- What are your ethical obligations to the patient, and to the family?
- How might you resolve this dilemma?