Question

A 76-year-old man with long-standing smoking history presents with weight loss and a new cough. Chest X-ray shows a right upper lobe mass. You suspect lung cancer and arrange an urgent CT scan and respiratory referral. He asks you not to tell his family anything, saying, “They will only worry.” His daughter later phones asking for details of his diagnosis. What is the most appropriate response?

Accepted Answer

Decline to share details without the patient’s explicit consent

Answer

Disclose full details to the daughter because relatives have a right to know

Answer

Send a full copy of the clinic letter to the daughter

Answer

Discuss the case in detail with the daughter but mark it as confidential

Answer

Explain that you will only share general information about lung cancer, not specifics about him

Practice question