Truth Telling in Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy

Abstract

A study was carried out which looked at ethical dilemmas encountered at work by occupational therapists and physiotherapists. Information about ethical dilemmas was collected through the use of a postal questionnaire to therapists working in the health service in England and Wales. One theme that emerged from content analysis of the dilemmas was telling the truth in the therapeutic relationship. Three main issues emerged: withholding information from patients, usually about diagnosis or prognosis or about services; telling lies to patients for apparently honourable reasons; and telling lies to patients for apparently bad reasons. The present research is related to findings from previous studies in nursing and medicine.