Bioethics in a different tongue: The case of truth-telling

After a survey of 800 seniors from four different ethnic groups showed that Korean-American and Mexican-American subjects were much less likely than t heir European-American and African-American counterparts to believe that a patient should be told the truth about the diagnosis and prognosis of a ter minal illness, we undertook an ethnographic study to look more deeply at at titudes and experiences of these respondents. European-American and African -American respondents were more likely to view truth-telling as empowering, enabling the patient to make choices, while the Korean-American and Mexica n-American respondents were more likely to see the truth-telling as cruel, and even harmful, to the patients. Further differences were noted in how th e truth should be told and even in definitions of what constitutes "truth" and "telling." Clinical and bioethics professionals should be aware of how their cultural and economic backgrounds influence the way they perceive eth ical dilemmas and remember to make room for the diverse views of the popula tions they serve.