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Medscape Family Physician Ethics Report 2018
Keith L. Martin | February 6, 2019
| Contributor Information
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Medscape Family Physician Ethics Report 2018
Keith L. Martin | February 6, 2019 | Contributor Information
Physicians face numerous ethical decisions—from life and death to romance and money—every day. Medscape surveyed more than 5200 physicians, including more than 660 family physicians, to find out how they feel about the key issues they wrestle with today.
Some totals in this presentation do not equal 100% due to rounding.
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Medscape Family Physician Ethics Report 2018
Keith L. Martin | February 6, 2019 | Contributor Information
More than three quarters of family physicians said they would report this behavior, with many noting that it is the only way to stop such abuse. "This happened and I didn't report it. It will never happen again," said one physician. Some who answered "yes" did note that they would talk to the perpetrator of the abuse first. "I would speak to the offender, then depending on the offense, either report [it] or warn them."
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Medscape Family Physician Ethics Report 2018
Keith L. Martin | February 6, 2019 | Contributor Information
The majority of family physicians said there are circumstances that should determine punishment of an accused doctor. "The physician should be suspended with pay until the investigation is complete," noted one doctor. Collecting additional information was also the rationale for many of the nearly one third of family physicians who said no punishment should occur.
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Medscape Family Physician Ethics Report 2018
Keith L. Martin | February 6, 2019 | Contributor Information
Half of family physicians in our survey said there should be no expectation of annual charity work for doctors. "I feel like my paid work is a charitable cause already and my time is already pressed for patient care," said one physician. "So taking away patient care time [when there is a] physician shortage is a bad idea."
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Medscape Family Physician Ethics Report 2018
Keith L. Martin | February 6, 2019 | Contributor Information
While family physicians were pretty evenly divided on discussing politics with patients, as a specialty they were more willing to entertain a conversation. Nearly one third of family docs said it was okay to discuss politics, one tenth greater than all respondents in this year's report. "In the current climate, we can't be silent when opinion matters more than science and evidence," said one doctor.
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Medscape Family Physician Ethics Report 2018
Keith L. Martin | February 6, 2019 | Contributor Information
Half of family physicians noted their support for a terminally ill patient's right to die. Many noted that while they saw this as a medical option, they personally could not participate in the activity. "Physicians aid in birth and should be allowed to facilitate the dying process," said one family physician.
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Medscape Family Physician Ethics Report 2018
Keith L. Martin | February 6, 2019 | Contributor Information
More family physicians this year support their terminally ill patients seeking the remedies or treatments they desire compared with in our 2016 report. Many in support, however, noted that the patient—and not his or her insurance—should be required to pay.
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Medscape Family Physician Ethics Report 2018
Keith L. Martin | February 6, 2019 | Contributor Information
While the majority of family physicians said they would treat unvaccinated children and family members, a large portion said they would continue educational efforts on the benefits of vaccines. "There is always a chance to convince them if you keep them as patients," said one doctor. "If you don't treat them, you will be unable to establish trust so you can change their opinions on vaccines," said another.
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Medscape Family Physician Ethics Report 2018
Keith L. Martin | February 6, 2019 | Contributor Information
In line with all survey respondents across specialties, 6 in 10 family physicians would not enact an automatic opt-in for organ donation. Many in the "no" category noted that this should be an individual decision at the onset. "It's their body; it should be their choice," said one family physician.
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Medscape Family Physician Ethics Report 2018
Keith L. Martin | February 6, 2019 | Contributor Information
The majority of family physicians said flu vaccination should be mandated for doctors with patient contact. Many in this group noted the threat to patient safety without vaccination. Many of the 1 in 5 family physicians who said it should not be a requirement indicated that such a mandate infringes upon personal beliefs.
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Medscape Family Physician Ethics Report 2018
Keith L. Martin | February 6, 2019 | Contributor Information
Family physicians seem more supportive of relationships with patients than they were in the 2016 Medscape Ethics Report, with an increase (albeit small) in the number of those finding it acceptable to start a relationship after a patient's treatment period has ended. There was also a small rise in "it depends" replies. Many of those in favor of a relationship after 6-12 months noted that if patient care has ended, then they have no objection. "All else being equal, if two consenting adults develop a desire for a relationship and neither is otherwise involved, then I don't see an issue with this," said one family physician.
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Medscape Family Physician Ethics Report 2018
Keith L. Martin | February 6, 2019 | Contributor Information
Six in 10 family physicians said they were unlikely to deny services to patients with multiple disease states and unlikeliness to comply with treatment plans. "All patients deserve good and fair treatment," said one doctor. "Medicine has the obligation to treat illness in whatever cover it comes in," said another.
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Medscape Family Physician Ethics Report 2018
Keith L. Martin | February 6, 2019 | Contributor Information
While more than half of all physicians across specialties said they would notify a patient of substandard physician ability, that number jumped among family physicians. "Truth is always the best course," said one, while another "would at least advise them to get a second opinion."
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Medscape Family Physician Ethics Report 2018
Keith L. Martin | February 6, 2019 | Contributor Information
The issue of random drug and alcohol testing divided family physicians. Among those answering "no," many said that if there is suspicion of impairment, testing would be acceptable. "Privacy deserves some respect," noted one physician. Those answering "yes" were strongly in favor of no exceptions to such testing. "It just has to be done in a confidential and respectful manner," said one doctor.
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Medscape Family Physician Ethics Report 2018
Keith L. Martin | February 6, 2019 | Contributor Information
In line with all physicians responding to the ethics survey, 6 in 10 family physicians said they can accept a meal or speakers fee from pharma without it influencing their prescription writing. "If their drug is good and appropriate for a patient's best care, I'll use it. Not just because a dinner was involved," said one family doctor. "I can never remember what company makes what drugs, so it's hard to influence [me]," said another physician.
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Medscape Family Physician Ethics Report 2018
Keith L. Martin | February 6, 2019 | Contributor Information
Family physicians by and large don't approve of unwarranted treatment, even if it means quelling the threat of malpractice. "Not intentionally, but after being sued once, I hate how much self-doubt and second-guessing of myself has come into my thought process," said one doctor.
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Medscape Family Physician Ethics Report 2018
Keith L. Martin | February 6, 2019 | Contributor Information
Nearly 7 in 10 family physicians said payment would not hinder them from administering a more effective treatment. "But I would warn them about the coverage issue," said one doctor, echoing the sentiment of his peers who also replied "no." "The patient needs to make that decision," said another.
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Medscape Family Physician Ethics Report 2018
Keith L. Martin | February 6, 2019 | Contributor Information
Four in 10 family physicians said they would drop a payer, even if the consequence is losing longtime patients, while nearly one third said they could not take this action. "Unfortunately, staying with an insurer who does not value your service at the same level as others means high exposure to accelerated burnout," said one family doctor who would make the switch. "I treat patients, not insurers," said a peer who answered "no."
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Medscape Family Physician Ethics Report 2018
Keith L. Martin | February 6, 2019 | Contributor Information
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Medscape Family Physician Ethics Report 2018
Keith L. Martin | February 6, 2019 | Contributor Information
Medscape Ethics Report 2018: Money, Romance, and Patients
Physicians wrestle with many difficult issues as they care for patients and make treatment and reimbursement decisions. Here's how they feel about tough concerns.Medscape Features Slideshows, November 2018
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Comments on Medscape are moderated and should be professional in tone and on topic. You must declare any conflicts of interest related to your comments and responses. Please see our Commenting Guide for further information. We reserve the right to remove posts at our sole discretion.
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