COLLUSION IN PALLIATIVE CARE

Collusion is generally an act of love and protection for a close relative from knowing the bad news with regard to diagnosis and prognosis of his/her illness. Evidence from research studies showed that although truth hurts, deceit may well hurt more. Filial duties and obligations form the basis for non disclosure in some cultures while principles of informed consent and patient autonomy are ethical and legal obligations to provide patients with as much information as possible in some countries. Collusion serves to isolate the patient, cause family disruption, incurs tremendous psychosocial stress on patient and relatives and leads to poor standard of healthcare. It is vital to assess for presence of collusion from the outset and to avoid this distressing dilemma. This case report is an example of the great cost of collusion on the carer’s part.