Should I inform a patient about an unfavorable prognosis against the wishes of their family members?
October 5th, 2023
The only person who is allowed to make medical decisions for the patient if the patient is unable to do so is the medical proxy: It has to be in writing: all hospitals have a form for that. If there is no proxy, you follow the wishes of the patient only. The question is surprising because the only way the family would know about the prognosis is if the patient told them.
