USMLE Right of refusal

[Greyhame]

There's a question in BRS Behavioral Sciences asking if a physician's refusal to treat an HIV+ pt. for a benign skin infection is ethically/legally acceptable. I thought it was unethical but not illegal, but BRS says it is both unethical and illegal, mentioning that a recent court decision forbade physicians from refusing treatment to HIV+ individuals. Which one is it? Can anyone elaborate?

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[sahell]

Ethics are murky waters. Barbara Fadem gets questions wrong, so I don't have a high opinion of her but I've never read her book.

 

[Greyhame]

Realise that about ethics. Done with the exam now. Thanks!