PA 32 Flashcards
Is it ethical to treat your family members? Would you do it?
Some people think it can be good because you know your relative’s medical history and can help them quickly. Others worry that you might not be fair or objective when treating someone you love. Many professional guidelines say it is best to avoid treating close relatives unless there is no other choice or it is an emergency. If there was an emergency, I would treat a family member to help them right away. However, for regular care, I think it is better to have another provider take care of my family to make sure they get fair and unbiased treatment.
Speaking poorly about patients when out of the room or when the patient is under anesthesia
It is unprofessional and disrespectful to speak badly about patients when they are not present. Patients trust providers with their health and personal information. Talking poorly about a patient breaks that trust and can harm team morale. Even if the patient cannot hear, kindness and respect should remain at all times.
Using Google or Facebook to look up a patient
Looking up a patient on social media or Google without a medical reason can violate their privacy. It can also mix personal feelings with professional judgment. If a provider needs more medical information, there are proper channels to find what is needed. Searching a patient online can lead to unfair bias and may breach their rights to confidentiality.
Universal health insurance
Universal health insurance aims to make sure everyone has access to medical care. Supporters say it helps reduce financial barriers, so more people can get treatment when they need it. Critics worry about costs and how it might affect the quality or speed of care. Overall, universal health insurance is meant to improve fairness in health care and ensure no one is turned away for lack of coverage.
Having to tell a patient’s partner about HIV or STI status
Sharing a patient’s health information, such as HIV or STI status, without consent is a serious privacy issue. In some cases, the law may require informing partners to stop the spread of disease. However, this must be done carefully, following rules that protect both the patient’s rights and public health. Providers often encourage patients to share the information themselves, but in certain cases, they may have a duty to warn partners while respecting legal guidelines.
