Member-only story

The Moral Fabric of the Patient-Physician Relationship: Philosophy and Medicine

Roger Turner

·18.4k Followers· Follow

Published in The Clinical Encounter: The Moral Fabric Of The Patient Physician Relationship (Philosophy And Medicine 14)

5 min read · 3 weeks before

187 View Claps

42 Respond

Save

Listen

The Clinical Encounter: The Moral Fabric of the Patient Physician Relationship (Philosophy and Medicine 14)

The Clinical Encounter: The Moral Fabric of the Patient-Physician Relationship (Philosophy and Medicine Book 14)

by Valentino Pennella

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	533 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Print length	:	330 pages

The patient-physician relationship is one of the most important and complex relationships in our society. It is a relationship that is built on trust, respect, and mutual understanding. However, this relationship is not always easy to maintain. There are a number of ethical issues that can arise in the patient-physician relationship, such as informed consent, confidentiality, and privacy. These issues can be difficult to navigate, and they can sometimes lead to conflict between patients and physicians.

The Moral Fabric of the Patient-Physician Relationship: Philosophy and Medicine explores the ethical foundations of the patient-physician relationship. This book examines the moral obligations of physicians to their patients and the rights of patients to receive respectful and compassionate care. The book also provides practical guidance for physicians on how to navigate the ethical challenges that they face in their practice.

The Moral Obligations of Physicians

Physicians have a number of moral obligations to their patients. These obligations include:

The obligation to provide competent care. Physicians must have the knowledge and skills necessary to provide their patients with the best possible care. They must also stay up-to-date on the latest medical advances.
The obligation to respect patient autonomy. Patients have the right to make decisions about their own health care. Physicians must respect these decisions, even if they do not agree with them.
The obligation to maintain confidentiality. Patients have the right to privacy. Physicians must keep their patients' medical information confidential, even after the patient has died.
The obligation to avoid conflicts of interest. Physicians must avoid any conflicts of interest that could interfere with their ability to provide their patients with the best possible care.

The Rights of Patients

Patients have a number of rights in the patient-physician relationship. These rights include:

The right to informed consent. Patients have the right to be fully informed about their medical condition and the treatment options available to them. They must also be given the opportunity to ask questions and to make their own decisions about their care.
The right to confidentiality. Patients have the right to privacy. Their medical information must be kept confidential, even after they have died.
The right to refuse treatment. Patients have the right to refuse any treatment, even if it is recommended by their physician.
The right to respect. Patients have the right to be treated with respect and dignity, regardless of their race, religion, gender, or sexual orientation.

Ethical Challenges in the Patient-Physician Relationship

The patient-physician relationship is not always easy to maintain. There are a number of ethical challenges that can arise, such as:

Informed consent. Obtaining informed consent can be difficult, especially in cases where the patient is not competent to make their own decisions. Physicians must be careful to ensure that patients understand the risks and benefits of treatment before they give their consent.
Confidentiality. Maintaining confidentiality can be difficult, especially in cases where the patient's medical information is relevant to a third party. Physicians must be careful to balance the patient's right to privacy with the need to protect others.
Conflicts of interest. Conflicts of interest can arise in a number of ways. For example, a physician may have a financial interest in a particular treatment, or they may be friends with a patient or family member. Physicians must be careful to avoid any conflicts of interest that could interfere with their ability to provide their patients with the best possible care.

The patient-physician relationship is a complex and challenging one. However, it is also a rewarding one. By understanding the ethical foundations of the patient-physician relationship, physicians can better navigate the challenges they face and provide their patients with the best possible care.

The Clinical Encounter: The Moral Fabric of the Patient-Physician Relationship (Philosophy and Medicine Book 14)

by Valentino Pennella

5 out of 5