Physicians can ethically withhold information in situations where full disclosure of a diagnosis or treatment would cause great psychological harm to the patient.
The case of Nancy Cruzan, a 25-year-old woman whose injuries from an automobile accident resulted in a persistent vegetative state, helped to empower people with end-of-life choices.
Adrienne W. Henize, JD and Andrew F. Beck, MD, MPH
Data on certain chronic conditions’ prevalence, incidence of potentially preventable morbidity, and health-harming legal factors influence approaches to care.
AMA J Ethics. 2024;26(8):E648-654. doi:
10.1001/amajethics.2024.648.