The Patient's Right

6 Pages 1523 Words

A patient comes into the hospital to see his results from an AIDS test: his results are positive. The patient nervously confesses to the doctor that he?s been cheating on his wife. His wife and the doctor are friends, they?ve been friends throughout school, but later drifted apart. However, they still maintain a good friendship, occasionally get together call each other for advice, or simply to share their problems since they?ve been friends for so long. The doctor never actually met her friend?s husband in person but after looking at his file she notices his last name and phone number are the same as her dear friend?s. The doctor then informs the client of her friendship with his wife.
Should she tell the wife because he could pass this incurable disease to her? Or should she keep this information confidential because of her duty as a doctor?
This situation creates an ethical dilemma because no matter what decision the doctor takes it will oppose a belief. In this scenario the patient is the client seeking the service of a doctor. Therefore, the doctor must take a course of action based on mutual agreement that will not violate their relationship. As a professional, her primary duty is to serve the client, which in this scenario is the patient with AIDS. In order to better serve the client she will persuade and convince him to tell his wife in effort to maintain his autonomy and confidentiality. She will let him know that she must report this to government health authorities, and other health professional working with him. These health professionals need to be forewarned, so that they can take extra precautions. ?AIDS is now a reportable communicable disease in every state?Physicians and hospitals must report every case of AIDS- with the patients name to government public health authorities? (Pozar 384).
The doctor is not removing the patient?s autonomy, however by giving him advice (persuading him) she is not ...