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Sharing My Diagnosis: How Much is Too Much?
Heather A. Thompson Buum
Background For a primary care physician diagnosed with breast cancer, becoming a patient profoundly influenced her practice style and patient interactions. She wondered, "Is it ever appropriate to disclose my situation, my diagnosis, any details about my cancer journey to my patients?"
What This Study Found As a member of the medical profession, in which privacy is highly valued, she recognized the need for boundaries and objectivity. As a patient, however, she learned the importance of personal connection and support. "I have no easy answers," she states, "but I do see potential benefits to helping patients cope with the nature of an illness, a new diagnosis, potentially frightening or confusing treatment plans--that�s what I spent years of my life training to do, and continue to do, every day. I just never thought I would accomplish any of it in quite this way."
