Physicians treating family members

[MoosePilot]

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Does anyone have any links to webpages which discuss the ethics of treating family and friends as a physician? I'm curious what the standards are in this area.

Thanks!

 

[Dr.LeoSpaceman]

I don't have any links to the data, but from what I understand most hospitals would not allow you to treat a family member.

EDIT: I did find this article http://medicalboardvic.org.au/pdf/DrsTreatingFamily.pdf. Its from Australia, but I think the rationale is pretty universal.

This may be a little more along the lines of what you were looking for: http://www.bioethics.net/er/erbioethics.php?task=view&articleID=43. It was posted on a bioethics website, and it seemed pretty good.

 

[MoosePilot]

Thanks!

I found this one too:

http://www.acponline.org/journals/news/jan99/relative.htm

 

[Cuteasaurus]

I guess I'm confused...it doesn't seem like trauma care or surgery would be the same as allergy treatment. I understand needing to remove yourself if the situation is serious and avoiding giving advice when you dont know. But, what about if a relative were a primary care doctor and was the patient's regular dr and knew the history. What are the arguments about that?

 

[MoosePilot]

I guess I'm confused...it doesn't seem like trauma care or surgery would be the same as allergy treatment. I understand needing to remove yourself if the situation is serious and avoiding giving advice when you dont know. But, what about if a relative were a primary care doctor and was the patient's regular dr and knew the history. What are the arguments about that?

Now I started this to learn more about the topic myself, so realize that I'm talking through what I just read and don't really have any special handle on the topic...

I think the problem with a relative being your primary care provider would be that a lack of objectivity could lead to inferior care. The doctor is going to subconciously assume the best and avoid diagnoses like cancer. The doctor might over-utilize diagnostics in order to provide the best possible care. At the same time, the doctor might avoid embarrassing or uncomfortable exams or treatments, even when they were indicated.

Anyway, that's some stuff I took from the reading.

 

[SaltySqueegee]

The doctor might over-utilize diagnostics in order to provide the best possible care. At the same time, the doctor might avoid embarrassing or uncomfortable exams or treatments, even when they were indicated.

I'd be in the over-utilize category.

No kidney-stone left unturned. 😉