Question

A family practice physician is well-established in the community after being in practice for nearly 20 years. He operates his own practice in downtown. Last year, he was approached by one of the local skilled nursing facilities to serve as its medical director. He also was approached by one of the local hospice organizations to also be a part-time medical director of the hospice. He agreed to both offers. In his family practice, he is seeing several patients who are needing skilled nursing facility placement due to debility and rather than provide a list of choices to the family, he only discusses the facility where he serves as medical director. Later in the day, a long-time patient of his has decided to elect hospice after failing treatment for metastatic lung cancer. The provider only discusses and refers the patient to the hospice where he is affiliated. Is this ethical or legal practice? Why or why not? What could be the outcome of this kind of behavior?

Answer 1

Healthcare system is most essential and it saves millions of people and gives treatment to them.People trusts the doctors for their health.

This practice is unethical and illegal.As the professional should always follow standard of conduct.The professional have responsibility towards the people who he interacts with.In this case the professional is only refering to the hospital's which he is affiliated with so this is unethical and illegal.

The professional should always refer the patients to the hospital's where they will get quality care and treatment and should not consider his/her personal gain in the process but in this case he considered his personal gain and only refered the patient to the hospital where he is a part.

There is another opinion if and only if the hospital where he is associated provides the best care then he should explain other option along with the hospital where he is a part but the professional is only discussing the facility where he is working and is not giving list of choices to the families and patients.

The professional is only considering personal gain and is not giving first place towards the patients in his actions so it is unethical and illegal because he is not following the rules and guidelines in providing care to patients whom he is responsible for their well being.