The perceptions of physicians in southeast Nigeria on truth-telling for cancer diagnosis and prognosis.

Background: The perceptions of Nigerian physicians on truth-telling for cancer diagnosis and prognosis have not been widely studied. There is a need to know the perception of the doctors on truth telling so as to inform appropriate professional education on the subject.

Objectives: To ascertain the perceptions of the physicians on truth-telling for cancer diagnosis and prognosis.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was done with a self-administered questionnaire to 228 physicians available in the clinics and seminars at the hospital between January and April 2010.

Results: A total of 173 questionnaires were returned. Eighty-one (46.8%) always, 54 (31.2%) generally, and 38 (22%) rarely disclose cancer diagnosis and favorable prognosis to patients. Only 7.5% would disclose the truth of the prognosis to patients when the cancer is advanced. Physicians' age, specialty, training in palliative care, and doctors' views on truth disclosure if he/she had cancer significantly influenced the doctors' practice of truth-telling for cancer diagnosis.

Conclusion: The physicians who treat cancer patients in southeast Nigeria tend to practice truth-telling for cancer diagnosis but not for a poor prognosis. Most of the physicians need training in physician-patient communication.