Cytopathologists frequently interact directly with patients at their bedsides to perform fine needle aspiration procedures. When, if ever, should cytopathologists share preliminary diagnostic impressions directly with patients?
AMA J Ethics. 2016;18(8):779-785. doi:
10.1001/journalofethics.2016.18.8.ecas3-1608.
Dr Patricia Luck joins Ethics Talk to discuss her article, coauthored with Arman M. Niknafs: “Reasons Not to Turf a Patient Whose ‘Belonging’ in a Hospital Is Unclear.”
Dr Christy A. Rentmeester joins Ethics Talk to discuss her article: “How to Gird Up ‘Watch One, Do One, Teach One’ for the Moral Psychological Demands of Just Action.”
Requirements for informed consent are relatively vague and the exceptions are few, so it is in the physician’s best interest to inform patients about proposed treatment options, ascertain that they understand their choices, and secure their consent.