51 AHonesty, my mum always used to tell me, is the best policy. Of course, this didin’t include her when she told me that if I didn’t eat all my vegetables Father Cristmas would find out and wouldn’t give me any presents.Bt when it comes to medicine, I had assumed it was important to always be honest with my patients. Ater all, the doctor patient relationship is based on trust, and therefore honesty is essential, Or so I thought.I had just started working in geriatrics(老年病科). Mr. McMahon was brought in when his baby was faound very swollen. I took a medical history from his daughter would accompanied him in the ambulance. She’d been his main carer for years. I stood looking at him as she gave a detailed history. “Has he lost any weight recently?” I asked, “Well, it’s funny you should mention that, but yes.” She said slowly. There was silence for a few moments. “Why? What are you worried about?” she asked, I hesitated. She was obviously very involved in his care and it was only fair that I told her the truth. “Well, we need to prove it’s not cancer.” I said and talked briefly about some of the tests I was going to order.Half an hour later, a nurse called me: “Mr. McMahon’s daughter broke down－she said you told her he had cancer.” My heart sank. B the time I arrived at the ward, my consultant was already there, explaining that we still had to run lots of tests and that it was by no means confirmed that he had cancer. I stood silently at the end of the bed. My consultant was obviously angry with me and as we left Mr. McMahon, she turned to me. “Why on carch did you do that?” she asked to disbelief. I looked at her andbit my hp. “She asked me what I was worried about and I told her.” I said, hanging my head. “Ad give her more to worry about?” replied my consultant. “You don’t say the word ‘cancer’ until it’s confirmed. Een if you suspect it, think very carefully before you tell people.”A it turned out, it wasn’t cancer. Bt I did learn that when somecone is stressed and worried about their loved one they’re sometimes selective in what they hear－and as a doctor it’s important to be mindful of this. In being truthful, I’d made the situation worse..The purpose of the first two paragraphs is to show that the author .
(A) misunderstood the doctor-patient relationship
(B) was anxious to receive Cristmas gifts
(C) regarded honesty as the best policy
(D) had an unhealthy eating habit