Bad Words. (March 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bruce, Courtenay R.; Smith, Martin L.; Peña, Adam M.; Majumder, Mary A.
• Is Part Of: Hastings Center report. Volume 44:Number 2(2014:Mar./Apr.)
• Page Start: 13
• Page End: 14
• Publication Date: 2014-03
• Subjects: Medical ethics -- Periodicals; Bioethics -- Periodicals; 174.205
• DOI: 10.1002/hast.280
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0093-0334

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title>Abstract</title> <p> <italic>The clinical ethicist met with Ms. H to clarify what information she wants and does not want to know. First, she wants to receive any treatment that could prolong her life, regardless of how the treatment affects her ability to engage in activities of daily living. Second, she wants to be included in the decision‐making process as much as possible, as long as clinicians use only "positive" language. Ms. H considers the words "dying, " "chemotherapy, " "radiation, " and "cancer" to be "bad words." For conversations in which these words cannot be avoided, she wants her clinicians to talk to her son. Her desired engagement includes hearing about risks, benefits, and alternatives to treatments if clinicians use only "positive" language. Finally, she says that she rarely sees doctors and that she is "very scared" of hospitals, despite exhibiting a comfortable demeanor</italic>.</p> <p> <italic>Should clinicians honor Ms. H's waiver of specified information and, if so, to what degree?</italic> </p> </abstract>