RESUMO
The study analyzes medical residents (MRs) attitudes on the ethics of information disclosure in two case scenarios--HIV disease and cancer. A purposeful sample of 120 MRs took part in a self-completion questionnaire administered. Responses were factor analyzed and three factors (17 statements) protecting rights of (1) spouse/family, (2) patient and (3) society, were retained for study. Analysis revealed that: (1) MRs perceived greater justification (P < 0.0001) in protecting family rights in HIV disease and patient rights (P < 0.0001) in cancer; (2) male MRs were significantly more inclined to protect spouse/family rights (P < 0.01) in HIV disease, when compared to female MRs; and (3) international MRs were significantly more inclined to protect spouse/family (P < 0.05) and societal rights (P < 0.01) in HIV disease, compared with United States MRs. Perception differences by MRs on ethics of information disclosure in HIV disease and cancer are based on MRs gender and their cultural background. It is important to document and address these attitudes during residency training.