In my opinon... I believe it suxs when they do this.. but I'd rather them tell me and drop me, or have me find someone else, than lead me on and cause more problems (as i've had both situations, and had it be doctors, but mostly therapist).
I've also had friends and family give up. some who lead me on to the very end. It seems that's how everyone in my life is.
Another example is in my biological parents. my mother led me on and made me believe that she loved me and would do anything for me, and it was that she was being kept away from me, and couldn't do anything about it. ... so i learned after a very hard hitting rock bottom, that she didn't really care, it was all words... ALL WORDS!! .. and it still angers and pains me.. this truth i found out just a few months ago, when it took me over 20 years to find out. And to find her promise she made me as a 5 year old would never be kept of her coming back for me when she got a place of her own and could take care of me.
While on the other hand, my biological dad just plainly said he wanted nothing to do with me, and to quit contacting him. Yeah it hurt. but i wasn't lead on... and i wasn't believing a fantasy that was never there to begin with.
So if i have to choose between which of the two i would be most okay afterwards, it would be the one that is upfront and not leading me on.