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March 23, 2005
Conflict of Interest?
Kevin and I were discussing doctors and what could be considered conflicts of interest. It awakened many questions. If you have definite opinions or answers for me, leave a comment. If you have never left me a comment, it’s very easy to do. You just click on the blue comment button at the bottom of this post. A separate window will appear where you type in your name, email address, and website (if you have one – if not, leave this line blank). You then type your comment and click on the POST button one time. It’s as simple as that! Now for my questions:
*Is it prohibited for doctors to write their immediate family members prescriptions?
*If it is not prohibited for doctors to write prescriptions for their immediate family members, where do they draw the line?
*Do you consider a doctor seeing his office staff (coworkers) as patients a conflict of interest?
*Do you consider a doctor writing his office staff (coworkers) prescriptions for powerful drugs a conflict of interest?
*Do you think a doctor giving a coworker a pap smear to be a conflict of interest (or just creepy)?
*Should doctors have strict policies that state they will not see coworkers?
*Do you believe the doctor would ever be as firm or honest with his coworker/patient as he would be a regular patient?
Posted by tami at March 23, 2005 8:27 AM
Comments
1) No
2) I would hope the line would be not prescribing anything illegal or unnecessary
3)No
4)Depends on the drugs and the need for the prescription. In the past my husband has had to write a precription for a fellow doctor so he could have his meds for diabetes. There isn't anything legally, ethically or morally wrong with that as long as the doctor is working within the bounds set by the law.
5)No. There are often female doctors in practises so if the co-worker had a problem with a male colleague she could ask for the female one instead. As long as the patient/co worker is relaxed and happy about receiving an examination from the doctor I don't see a problem
6)Why? All doctor/patient relationships are open to abuse but I think it's wrong to believe that all doctor/co-worker relationships are an abuse. If the co-worker is happy to be treated by a doctor colleague then I don't see the problem. He/she may be happier to be treated by a doctor that is well known to them.
7) Yes. Possibly even more honest as the co-worker may be better known to them.
The questions are a little generalised and it's difficult to give a more detailed answer without specifics. If a co-worker, or anyone for that matter, has a problem with a doctor's manner or conduct they should seek the advise of either a senior partner in the practise or the practise manager.
Sorry to have written a tome in your comments; I had a lot to say :)
Posted by: Lynn ![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.tamisclock.com/nav-commenters.gif)
at March 23, 2005 11:02 AM
Wow, Lynn! Thanks for taking the time to answer my questions. I am happily surprised; I honestly didn't think that I would get any answers.
Posted by: Tami at March 23, 2005 11:59 AM
I am curious now if the regulations are the same here as in the UK. I don't know why they would differ, but you never know.
Posted by: Tami at March 23, 2005 12:33 PM