Disclosing Bad News to Patients: Balancing Culture and Autonomy

Abstract

Effective communication between healthcare providers and patients is a cornerstone of medical practice ethics. Delivering bad news, which would significantly alter a patient’s perception of their well-being, varies across cultures. While Western medical ethics prioritize patient autonomy, many countries in the Middle East and North African (MENA) region, including Libya, adhere to a family-centered approach that often involves withholding bad news from patients with the intention of minimizing emotional distress. This paper explores the ethical and cultural dilemmas of truth disclosure, highlighting the role of inadequate training in soft skills, and proposes a culturally sensitive framework to balance patient autonomy with social customs.