Is it ever justified to withhold information from the physician?

Withholding medical information from patients without their knowledge or consent is ethically unacceptable. Physicians should encourage patients to specify their preferences regarding communication of their medical information, preferably before the information becomes available.

Do doctors owe a duty of care to their patients?

Generally doctors owe a duty of care to their patients. A Hospital Trust would normally owe a duty of care to a patient of a doctor employed by the Trust. Outside a hospital or a doctor’s surgery, for example at the scene of an accident, a doctor would not normally owe a duty of care if he did not attempt to help.

What is breach of duty in medical negligence?

Breaching the duty of care can also be called “negligence.” If a doctor negligently—as in carelessly, or irresponsibly—breached his or her duties of care to a patient and caused injury, the doctor can be responsible for damages. A breach of duty can be accidental or purposeful, with malicious and criminal intent.

When should you withhold information?

Sometimes it is necessary to withhold strategic information because of concerns of national security, for instance, a case involving ongoing investigation of a terrorist plot. Or sometimes it is a good choice to temporarily withhold information that might unnecessarily panic the public.

When does a physician have a duty to contact the hospital?

In that situation, the physician has a duty to contact the hospital to explain why the patient was sent and to determine if there is a need for the physician to attend the patient while he or she is in the hospital. This is especially true when the patient is sent to the hospital from the doctor’s office.

Do You Know Your Rights and responsibilities as a patient?

It is a good idea to know your rights and responsibilities as a patient as well as your doctor’s rights and responsibilities. What Are Your Rights? As one who knows your body, your aches and pains, your specific needs related to your injury, you have the right to two-way communication with your doctor about your long-term care concerns.

Do doctors have to disclose risks to their patients?

Doctors do not need to disclose risks to their patients if the patients do not want to know, if disclosure would harm the patients or if a procedure is simple and the medical community views the danger as low.

Is there a risk of death during surgery?

If you are considering surgery there is always a risk of death due to the procedure or anesthesia that is given during the procedure. This is true of outpatient procedures and inpatient procedures, even with the surgery is an optional procedure such as plastic surgery.