Professional Standards and Ethics Flashcards
7 cards from real FACRRM practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Professional Standards and Ethics flashcards as text
Under the Australian Privacy Act and medical confidentiality principles, when is it permissible to disclose patient information to a third party without consent?
Answer: When required by law, to prevent serious harm, or for mandatory reporting purposes
Disclosure without consent is permissible when legally required, to prevent serious and imminent harm, or when mandated by specific reporting laws.
A rural doctor has a conflict of interest because they hold shares in a private pathology company to which they frequently refer. What is the most appropriate action?
Answer: Disclose the conflict of interest to patients and consider ceasing the financial relationship or changing referral patterns
Conflicts of interest must be disclosed to patients, and doctors should take steps to eliminate or manage the conflict to maintain trust and integrity.
Which of the following best describes 'therapeutic privilege' and its accepted status in Australian medical ethics?
Answer: It is largely rejected; withholding information to prevent distress generally violates the patient's right to informed consent
Therapeutic privilege is largely rejected in modern Australian medical ethics as it undermines informed consent and patient autonomy.
A FACRRM fellow in a remote setting encounters a patient requesting a prescription for a controlled substance that appears inconsistent with their medical history. What is the most appropriate response?
Answer: Decline the prescription, explain the clinical reasoning, and document the interaction
When a prescription request appears clinically inappropriate, the doctor must decline, provide clinical reasoning, and document the encounter to protect both patient and practitioner.
How does the concept of 'cultural safety' differ from 'cultural competence' in the context of rural and remote medicine?
Answer: Cultural competence focuses on learning about cultures, while cultural safety focuses on power dynamics and the patient's experience of safety
Cultural safety goes beyond knowledge of cultures to address power imbalances and ensure patients feel respected and not discriminated against in their healthcare experience.
A doctor discovers that a 15-year-old patient is sexually active and requests contraception, asking the doctor not to tell their parents. Under Australian law and ethics, what should the doctor do?
Answer: Assess the patient's competence (Gillick/Fraser competence), and if competent, respect confidentiality and provide appropriate care
A mature minor who demonstrates understanding of the treatment may consent independently; confidentiality should be respected if the patient is assessed as Gillick competent.
A rural practitioner is asked to provide a second opinion for a colleague's patient and discovers a significant missed diagnosis. What is the most appropriate course of action?
Answer: Communicate findings to both the patient and the treating clinician, ensuring the patient receives appropriate care
The patient's welfare requires transparent communication with both parties; escalation to regulatory bodies may follow if concerns persist after collegial discussion.