Abstract
This paper uses findings from studies that the authors conducted in Japan regarding ethical issues in terminal care and attempts to raise the debate beyond the descriptive level about issues of information disclosure to terminally ill patients. Essentially, these remarks take the next logical step and present four possible frameworks for information disclosure to families and patients within an ethics of relationships. Since information disclosure, or the lack of it, stands as a pivotal point in decisions about terminal care and what does or does not follow thereafter, the focus here limits the discussion to this topic. Findings from the studies are briefly mentioned and based on these data, the four possible frameworks for information disclosure are developed. These four frameworks might be used in differing situations where decisions need to be made. The basic ideas and questions central to the development of these frameworks are described.
