Disclosure of cancer diagnosis and prognosis by physicians in Kuwait

To analyse preferences for disclosure of cancer diagnosis and prognosis among physicians practising in Kuwait, a cross-sectional survey was conducted in public hospitals in both urban and suburban parts of the country, which included physicians likely to encounter adult cancer patients in their practice. A total of 217 physicians participated, 67% indicating they preferred full and complete disclosure of cancer diagnosis to patients. However, 79% of those would withhold the truth if the patients family requested them to do so. Preference for concealment was more common among physicians who had experienced cancer directly with a friend or a family member, or who were in medical as opposed to surgical specialties. The belief that patients in Kuwait did not want to hear the truth about cancer diagnosis or prognosis was also significantly associated with concealment preference. Changes in public norms and expectations should be monitored, because they seem to play a major role in physicians preference for disclosure of cancer diagnosis and prognosis.