State laws often require physicians to report suspected abuse and assault, creating a dilemma for physicians who must not only treat the injured patient but act as an informant to police.
Physicians should go beyond basic medical diagnosis and treatment to offer support to families about the gamut of social and emotional issues that are involved with caring for a severely disabled child.
Physicians should not perform involuntary drug testing on an adolescent with decisional capacity without strong medical or legal reasons, even if the parents request the test.
Melissa Weddle, MD, MPH and Patricia K. Kokotailo, MD, MPH
Physicians should honor confidentiality whenever possible when screening and treating adolescents for sensitive health conditions such as substance abuse.
Physicians who treat patients who are on the organ transplant wait list are obligated to share with the rest of the transplant team pertinent confidential information that can affect the patient's eligibility or clinical status.
Physicians who treat patients who are on the organ transplant wait list are obligated to share with the rest of the transplant team pertinent confidential information that can affect the patient's eligibility or clinical status.
Physicians who treat patients who are on the organ transplant wait list are obligated to share with the rest of the transplant team pertinent confidential information that can affect the patient's eligibility or clinical status.
Alcoholics should not be subject to deprioritization on a liver transplant waiting list if the belief is held that alcoholism is a disease and not an issue of moral failure for which the patient should be blamed.