Guideline 8: Family requests for nondisclosure of information

Introduction

Family occasionally request that information be withheld from the patient, most commonly the diagnosis of cancer or a poor prognosis ^25,29.

A common strategy proposed by clinicians we interviewed ²⁵ was to refuse carers’ requests and emphasise that according to Australian law the patient must know about their illness to provide informed consent.

Categorically refusing these requests may be problematic- because non-disclosure is considered ethically and culturally appropriate in many countries ^50,51. We suggest a more nuanced approach to family requests, which while still complying with Australian Law, does not leave the family feeling alienated.