Diagnosed with a chronic illness: Should you tell your patients?

Ms. N came to Dr. T through another psychiatrist and Dr. T continues to provide medication management. He has implemented a biweekly appointment schedule for supportive therapy to work on Ms. N’s personal goals to cook more, clean her house, and lose weight. They also address issues regarding her father and his absence in her life since she was age 18.

During their next appointment, Dr. T discloses the news of his illness to Ms. N. Ms. N asks, “Are you sure?” Dr. T confirms and asks her how she feels about this news. She replies, “It’s fine.” Soon after, she stops attending her biweekly appointments and is lost to follow-up.

Consider your patient’s ability to cope

Dr. T faced the challenge of whether to disclose his diagnosis to his patients. He understood the potential implications on his therapeutic work and his battles with his own anxiety. Ultimately, he decided to tell his patients, but he did not consider how they might have been able to handle such news.

Mr. G was receptive to the news and remained engaged in treatment after learning of Dr. T’s illness. His ability to do so likely was the result of many factors. Mr. G is a high-functioning individual who seems to have a secure attachment style. He is able to express his conflicts. He has had good relationships in his life, was able to work through his mother’s death, and is engaged in treatment to help him cope with the inevitable loss of his father. Mr. G can handle the potential loss of his physician because he has shown his ability to cope with such losses in his life.

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