Is it ethical for medical professionals to deceive their patients if doing so could vastly improve their health or even save their life?
It is a truth universally acknowledged that ethical doctors will not intentionally deceive their patients. The American Medical Association states: “A physician shall . . . be honest in all professional interactions, and strive to report physicians . . . engaging in fraud or deception, to appropriate entities.”
What are some reasons for not telling the truth about the patient’s condition especially if it is bad?
Three reasons for not telling the truth:
- it is not possible to present the truth in a manner that he patient would understand.
- the patient would not want the truth, they do not want to know.
- the truth may harm the person, they may lose all hope if they know the truth.
Do you believe that it is appropriate for a physician to report the unethical conduct of a fellow physician?
If a situation is delicate or egregious, reporting the suspected violations through the established channels right away may be the most appropriate course of action, Dr. Holt agreed. If you suspect criminal behavior, then it may be appropriate to report the physician to the police.
Why do doctors lie to their patients?
Patients lie to avoid negative consequences, to achieve secondary gain (eg, to obtain medication or disability payments), out of embarrassment or shame, or to present themselves in a better light (eg, as dutiful and compliant).
Why is it ethical to tell the truth?
Truth-telling or honesty is seen as a basic moral principle, rule, or value. Withholding information or otherwise deceiving the patient would seem to at least disrespect patient autonomy and potentially harm the patient.
What should a physician do if a patient reports unethical conduct?
(e) Report the suspected violation to appropriate authorities. Physicians who receive reports of alleged incompetent or unethical conduct should: (f) Evaluate the reported information critically and objectively. (g) Hold the matter in confidence until it is resolved.
How does Doctor slang affect patient outcomes?
In medicine, this slang is more than harmless insider-jargon: studies have shown that doctors’ attitudes and discrimination toward patients can have a real affect on the treatment they receive and how well they recover.
What is incompetence in medicine?
Incompetence, however, is a subset of unethical behavior in the sense that a physician fails to properly adhere to standards of care and lifelong learning, doesn’t stay up to date, and/or fails to follow professional and specialty guidelines, state medical board regulations, and laws of the land.
What is unprofessional behavior in the medical field?
The former is a range of unprofessional behavior that goes to the core of physician professionalism and is associated with adherence to the tenets of a physician’s obligation—honesty, compassion, ethical decision making, to name a few.