Faculty Bibliography

It is not uncommon for oncologists and other clinicians to encounter families who wish that grave medical information be withheld from their loved ones. Despite families' typically benevolent motives in making these requests, often, nondisclosure is not in the patients' best interests. Furthermore, nondisclosure may challenge physicians' professional obligations to their patients. However, there are particular situations in which nondisclosure is ethically appropriate, if not ethically obligatory. This article discusses potential benefits and harms associated with therapeutic nondisclosure in adult patients and offers strategies to effect more appropriate disclosure when therapeutic nondisclosure is contemplated.

Do-not-resuscitate (DNR) orders are commonly found in treatment plans for patients near the end of life. Orders for partial resuscitation (eg, "do not intubate") have evolved from DNR orders. Although the ethics of DNR orders have been widely examined in the medical literature, little has been written about the ethics of partial resuscitation. This article explores the ethical implications of partial DNR orders and identifies the need to develop care plans addressing life-threatening conditions for patients with DNR orders.