La vérité au malade, jusqu'où ? Quels risques ?

In France, patient access to information is regulated by the law of March 4, 2002. In the complex situation of a clinical relationship, telling the truth can sometimes be considered more deleterious than beneficial. But if clinicians refrain from telling the truth, there is a risk that the unsaid becomes the rule. Here we develop a more complete definition of the concept of truth and its implications in the patient-physician relationship. The notions of diagnosis and prognosis offer the opportunity for deeper thought on the singularity of this (re)quest for truth. Considering the patient-physician relationship in terms of a relationship between two individuals with their own consciences opens the way to a better understanding of free will. In this context, how can clinicians avoid the pitfall of delegating information delivery? What type of relationship should be established, for building what kind of therapeutic alliance?