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Ethics In David C. Thomasma's Moral Dilemma

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A moral dilemma that arises in a doctor-patient relationship is whether or not the doctor should always tell their patient the truth about their health. Although withholding information was a common practice in the past, in today’s world, patient autonomy is more important than paternalism. Many still are asking if it is ever morally permissible for a doctor to lie to a patient, though. David C. Thomasma writes that truth-telling is important as a right, a utility, and a kindness, but other values may be more important in certain instances. The truth is a right because respect for the person demands it. It is the basis of all trust. Truth is a utility because people need to make decisions based on the information they are given. Being told the truth is a kindness because it shows the capability of virtue and moral growth. Thomasma believes that although truth is an important value, other values may trump truth. These other values include the survival of the community and/or the well-being of the individual, the ability to understand the full impact of the truth, and restoring a patient’s autonomy. Despite trumping the value of truth, the previous values are only temporary and should be played only under certain conditions. Thomasma writes that because the goal of healthcare is to provide help for an illness and causing no …show more content…

I believe that unless a patient has explicitly said that they do not wish to be told bad news, it is a doctor’s duty to tell them the truth. This provides the patient with the most respect for a person and their autonomy. It also allows the patient to make important decisions regarding their own health, relationships, and finances. If the news is very bad, the patient can then decide to reconcile with estranged family members/friends, have the time to write a will, and settle any unfinished business. If the news is not so bad, the patient can decide what treatment path, if any, they wish to

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