Case Scenario What should I do wh...

Case Scenario

What should I do when patients ask me for money? single patient recently requested $3.25 for bus fare to visit her seriously ill sister who lived across town. Sometimes we have bus tokens in the office, nevertheless we were out of them that day, with equal reason I gave her $2.00 and explained that it was all I had in my tolerate She has a history of substance abuse and depression. Another patient periodically asks me for money; when I ask her what she necessitys the money for (Food? Cigarettes? Bus fare?), she can't present the appearance to say. I sometimes astonishment if she sees me as a parent figure from whom she wants one sort of weekly allowance. I take an account of her that I don't carry riches to the clinic, which is truthful but in any case I would be stirred uncomfortable giving her money-even granting I know she is poor.

I one time heard a patient in the waiting latitude say she had no wealth for medications. The patient sitting nearest to her reached into her purse and gave her $20 I was touched on this generous gesture. I would like to do the same for my patients when the ne is great and I be excited certain that it's just a one-time prayer but I don't know whether as it was a gesture would be condescending or otherwise inappropriate. In general, I have dutiful relationships with my patients and know them well.

Commentary

As a lordship physicians should avoid giving cash directly to patients. Like in the greatest degree decisions in medical practice, the determination to give a patient riches must be weighed carefully, and each case must be evaluated individually. Issues of grave ne upon the part of a patient and acts of genuine charity must be balanced with interest for potential liability and violation of boundaries in the physician-patient relationship.

Medical literature in succession the topic of physicians giving monetary gifts to patients is scarce. by conversion numerous articles have been published forward the subject of physicians accepting gifts from patients. principally physicians do, in fact, receive small gifts from their patients from time to time. However, single commentator warns that physicians should not accept gifts of cash, extravagant items, or intimate items from patients and describes in what manner a seemingly innocent and wary deed like gift-giving nonetheless raises multiple ethical affects (1) Other authors agree that gift-giving from patients to physicians, uniform with the best of intentions, may show a threat to the physician-patient relationship, ranging from benign boundary infractions to serious violations. (2) one of these concerns also might apply to the issue of physicians giving wealth to their patients.

The commonness with which physicians give riches to patients is unknown still based on personal experience and conversations with colleagues, it appears to be an exceptional practice. It seems that physicians rarely give patients currency and those who do watch to keep it a unrevealed Some physicians are highly altruistic and hesitant to broadcast their kindness. Others are reluctant to have reports of similar generosity spread throughout their practices, because they might generate additional begs A few are simply embarrassed. principally do not feel comfortable giving patients cash because they are uncertain about the professional boundaries.

At times, physicians might be excited compelled to give money to a patient because, fundamentally, physicians are compassionate and empathetic professionals who care for and about their patients. Further, physicians take seriously the fact that they are entrusted with safeguarding the well-being of their patients. They also have a penetrating sense of social responsibility and are aware that acts of kindness and charity oftentimes benefit not only an individual patient further society as well. Physicians also might be compell by dint of an ethical imperative to improve the quality of life for their patients and perhaps flat to sense their needs. (3)

Patients beg for money from their physicians for numerous reasons, however their most commonly cited urgencys include food, medication, transportation, and housing. It also is general for patients without personal financial ne to take advantage of appointments with their physician to solicit donations for similar things as charitable organizations, community incidents school fundraisers, and orders of Girl disdain cookies.

In spite of laudable and legitimate motives, physicians should be reluctant to give patients cash for the following reasons:

1 There is as a common thing [i]or[/i] matter no guarantee that the circulating medium will be spent on a legitimate ne put to hire alone for its stated purpose

2 A monetary gift may be derived in a continued expectation forward the part of the recipient that the physician will remain a financial resource in the coming events Later, if the same patient's prayer for more money is not granted, the patient's feelings may be wound and he or she may assume that the physician no longer really cares.

3 Physicians create a quandary when they provide financial foundations for some but not all of their patients. At what on a level should physicians draw the line? It would be difficult to explain to other, perhaps sole slightly less needy, patients to what end a physician gives money to a certain quantity of but not to all patients who ask for financial help.