Fiduciary duty refers to the legal and ethical obligation that doctors have to act in their patients' best interests and to prioritize their patients' well-being above their own interests or the interests of others.
This duty arises from the special relationship that exists between doctors and patients, in which patients place their trust in their doctors to provide competent and compassionate care.
2. • Fiduciary duty refers to the legal and ethical obligation that doctors
have to act in their patients' best interests and to prioritize their
patients' well-being above their own interests or the interests of
others.
• This duty arises from the special relationship that exists between
doctors and patients, in which patients place their trust in their doctors
to provide competent and compassionate care.
3. • Fiduciary duty includes a range of obligations, such as maintaining
patient confidentiality, providing accurate and complete
information to patients, obtaining informed consent for medical
procedures, and avoiding conflicts of interest.
• Doctors must also exercise their professional judgment and skills
with care and diligence, and must refrain from actions or
omissions that could harm their patients.
4. • Breaching fiduciary duty can lead to legal and disciplinary
consequences for doctors, including malpractice lawsuits, loss of
licensure, and damage to their professional reputation.
• Upholding fiduciary duty is essential for maintaining the integrity and
trustworthiness of the medical profession, and for ensuring that
patients receive the highest quality care possible.
5. Group 1: Patient Autonomy
• Dr. B is a psychiatrist who is treating a patient, Ms. S, who has
been diagnosed with depression.
• Dr. B recommends a course of treatment that includes medication
and therapy. However, Ms. S expresses a preference for alternative
treatments such as herbal remedies and acupuncture.
• What should Dr. B do? Should he insist on the recommended
course of treatment or respect Ms. S's preference for alternative
treatments?
6. Group 2: Fiduciary Duty and Social Media
• Dr. N is a dermatologist, and Mrs. L is his patient.
• Mrs. L posts a negative review of Dr. N on social media, claiming
that he misdiagnosed her condition
• The review is getting a lot of public attention and is affecting his
reputation.
• Dr. N want to respond to it with a detailed explanation of Mrs. L's
condition, but it will reveal her personal information to the public.
• What should Dr N do?
7. Group 3: End-of-Life Care
• Dr. G is an oncologist, and Mrs. J is his patient.
• Mrs. J has terminal cancer and is nearing the end of her life.
• Mrs. J has expressed a desire to die peacefully at home and take
palliative care, but her family wants her to receive aggressive
medical treatment.
• Should Dr. G respect Mrs. J's autonomy and let her die at home, or
should he honor the family's wishes?
8. Group 4: The Duty to Provide Appropriate Care
• Dr. J is a famous paediatrician who has a patient, B, who has been
diagnosed with a rare condition that requires a specific medication.
• Dr. J prescribes the medication, but due to a clerical error, the
pharmacy dispenses the wrong medication, which causes severe
adverse reactions in B.
• What should Dr. J do? Should he take responsibility for the error and
inform it to B’s parents, or should he try to cover up the mistake to
protect himself and his reputation?
9. Group 5: Fiduciary Duty to Maintain Confidentiality
• Dr. A has been treating a girl R for depression, who is a plus-two
student.
• During one of their sessions, R discloses that she is sexually active
with her boyfriend.
• Dr A personally know R’s parents and they are devoutly religious.
• Should Dr. A disclose R's sexual activity to her parents or keep it
confidential?
