Why Doctors Don't Disclose Uncertainty

Katz examines physicians' reluctance to admit to uncertainty or to it with patients. He sees this disregard or denial of uncertainty as of the ways in which physicians impose order on complex and inexact. Professional pressures to conform to orthodox practice may also responsible for an unwillingness or inability to discuss alternative with patients. Fear that their effectiveness as healers will be if a more open approach is attempted could explain why doctors in their authoritarian role. Katz concludes by urging physicians to the impact their attitude toward uncertainty has on the physician relationship. (KIE abstract)