[Desire for information and participation in therapeutic decisions concerning severe diseases, in patients of a university hospital].

Background: The purpose of our study was to evaluate the desire of the patients on being informed about diagnosis of severe diseases, the desire to have their families informed about this situation and to participate in therapeutic decisions.

Methods: 363 patients (outpatients and inpatients) of a General Internal Medicine division of a University Hospital were interviewed. The questionnaire contained specific questions on their desire to be informed of the diagnosis in case of cancer or AIDS and on their desire to have their families informed as well.