Physician self-disclosure at the end of life: is it beneficial?

摘要

Physician self-disclosure (PSD) occurs when a physician shares personal information or experiences during a clinical encounter in an effort to strengthen the physician-patient relationship.However, PSD remains mired in controversy, with opinions divided and a paucity of literature to support its use. Proponents of PSD argue that self-disclosure affords an opportunity to affect health behavior and outcomes and foster intimacy and trust. Opponents contend that PSD promotes boundary transgression, and that self-disclosure in and of itself misuses patients to satisfy one's own need for comfort or sympathy. Moreover, it has been suggested that patients may find sharing health concerns difficult in an encounter where a physician self-discloses; however, one study disputed that contention and found patients' concerns were satisfactorily addressed following PSD.