A comparative analysis between social workers' and primary care internal medicine residents' attitudes towards two aspects of patient autonomy: Informed decision making (self-determination) and truth disclosure

This study tested the hypotheses that social workers would report more positive attitudes than physicians towards several aspects of patient autonomy: patient self-determination; patients participating in treatment decisions and the importance of truth disclosure to patients regarding diagnosis and treatment. This study compared the attitudes of physicians and social workers regarding the social workers' role in training physicians in communication skills and facilitating discussions with patients about their values and preferences for treatment. A self-administered questionnaire was completed by 65 physicians and 52 social workers at one New York City hospital. Social workers had less paternalistic attitudes than physicians and had more positive attitudes towards patient self-determination; patients participating in treatment decisions; learning values and preferences of patients and training physicians. Both professional groups reported favorable attitudes towards truth disclosure to patients. The physicians revealed positive attitudes towards social workers facilitating treatment discussions with patients.