Should patients with serious illnesses be kept in the dark about their diagnosis and prognosis? How and when can doctors share this information?
It really depends on the mental and emotional state of the patient, especially if it is a negative outcome. Patients who are pessimistic will be worse off if the prognosis is made known to them.
My mother, for example, was so depressed and worried that her sickness worsened...
At the end of the day, the doctors will need to work with the family of the patient before deciding which way to go.
- Karen Wong
As medical students, we are taught how we should deliver bad news with minimal repercussions.
One must always remember: The earlier the diagnosis and prognosis are made known, the earlier surgical intervention can be introduced, either to improve the prognosis or, at least, to improve the patient's quality of life.
- Richard Poh
So long as the doctor can tell the patient tactfully and in a diplomatic manner, there should be no problem for the patient to accept the bad news.
- Peter Tan
Best to know early. And make sure family members know. There are affairs to settle.
- Michael Chang
Are we too used to having someone clean up after us? How can we develop a culture of cleanliness here?
The root of the problem lies with us. We are clean and green because we have cleaners cleaning up after us. It is a matter of civic consciousness... Until we look at ourselves and make these changes, the clean, green and gracious image is just something painted for us by our unsung heroes, the cleaners.
- Alvin De Silva Lu
Cleanliness starts at home and parents should remind their children to clean up... even if they have maids to do it. We have to learn to throw our own trash and not rely on the cleaners. It is all part of proper upbringing and self-discipline.
- Clarice Viola Pereira
It really depends on the mental and emotional state of the patient, especially if it is a negative outcome. Patients who are pessimistic will be worse off if the prognosis is made known to them.
My mother, for example, was so depressed and worried that her sickness worsened...
At the end of the day, the doctors will need to work with the family of the patient before deciding which way to go.
- Karen Wong
As medical students, we are taught how we should deliver bad news with minimal repercussions.
One must always remember: The earlier the diagnosis and prognosis are made known, the earlier surgical intervention can be introduced, either to improve the prognosis or, at least, to improve the patient's quality of life.
- Richard Poh
So long as the doctor can tell the patient tactfully and in a diplomatic manner, there should be no problem for the patient to accept the bad news.
- Peter Tan
Best to know early. And make sure family members know. There are affairs to settle.
- Michael Chang
Are we too used to having someone clean up after us? How can we develop a culture of cleanliness here?
The root of the problem lies with us. We are clean and green because we have cleaners cleaning up after us. It is a matter of civic consciousness... Until we look at ourselves and make these changes, the clean, green and gracious image is just something painted for us by our unsung heroes, the cleaners.
- Alvin De Silva Lu
Cleanliness starts at home and parents should remind their children to clean up... even if they have maids to do it. We have to learn to throw our own trash and not rely on the cleaners. It is all part of proper upbringing and self-discipline.
- Clarice Viola Pereira
