A physician’s primary responsibility is to provide patients with the best treatment and communicate openly with them regarding their condition. In the scenario presented, Dr. Edwards examines a patient who is presenting with a cough, shortness of breath, and blood in his sputum. The patient was previously examined eight months ago for the same symptoms by Dr. Edward’s colleague who is now on medical leave. Dr. Edwards orders an x-ray and blood tests. The radiologist report concludes the presence of a lung nodule; however the radiologist also informs the Dr. Edwards the lung nodule was present 11 months ago on a prior exam. Dr. Edwards reviews the notes; however there is no documentation in the patient’s medical record. Further testing
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If the colleague is accused of violating the Code of Ethics, the AMA will document and report to the colleague’s state licensing department. Dr. Edwards, now as the treating physician, is obligated be honest with his patient and expose the colleague for his or her unethical behavior. A warning or suspension could be handed down from the AMA as punishment. Legal terminology in healthcare is tricky because until you know all the facts it is difficult to determine what is negligence and what might be malpractice. Because the colleague neglected to order follow-up tests to properly diagnosis the patient, he or she could be facing medical malpractice. However; if the colleague was not providing care at his or her full potential or treated for pre existing condition, this could be considered a case based on negligence within the healthcare profession. Risk Management is included as part of regular office procedures that confirms all necessary pieces of information in a patient’s medical record are intact. Any medical record that contains an error can be amended but has to be dated the notation is written. A late entry may also be recorded, but again it must be dated it was entered and must state “late entry”. A Physician-Patient relationship is essential to the practice of healthcare. The physician and the patient through trust and respect build upon a relationship that represents the foundation of medical ethics. The colleague; however appears to have abandoned this relationship by neglecting to order additional tests, omitting documentation from the patient’s medical record and perhaps not being in the right frame of mind while treating the
If the colleague is accused of violating the Code of Ethics, the AMA will document and report to the colleague’s state licensing department. Dr. Edwards, now as the treating physician, is obligated be honest with his patient and expose the colleague for his or her unethical behavior. A warning or suspension could be handed down from the AMA as punishment. Legal terminology in healthcare is tricky because until you know all the facts it is difficult to determine what is negligence and what might be malpractice. Because the colleague neglected to order follow-up tests to properly diagnosis the patient, he or she could be facing medical malpractice. However; if the colleague was not providing care at his or her full potential or treated for pre existing condition, this could be considered a case based on negligence within the healthcare profession. Risk Management is included as part of regular office procedures that confirms all necessary pieces of information in a patient’s medical record are intact. Any medical record that contains an error can be amended but has to be dated the notation is written. A late entry may also be recorded, but again it must be dated it was entered and must state “late entry”. A Physician-Patient relationship is essential to the practice of healthcare. The physician and the patient through trust and respect build upon a relationship that represents the foundation of medical ethics. The colleague; however appears to have abandoned this relationship by neglecting to order additional tests, omitting documentation from the patient’s medical record and perhaps not being in the right frame of mind while treating the