FRACGP Professional Standards and Ethics 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A GP discovers they have a bloodborne infectious disease. According to RACGP ethical guidelines, what is their primary obligation?
- Cease all clinical practice immediately
- Seek advice from their own treating physician and relevant authorities about practice modifications (Correct answer)
- Disclose to all current patients
- Notify the Medical Board only if a patient requests it
Correct answer: Seek advice from their own treating physician and relevant authorities about practice modifications
GPs with bloodborne diseases must seek independent medical advice and guidance from relevant authorities to determine safe practice modifications.
Question 2: Under the RACGP Code of Conduct, when may a GP ethically decline to provide a requested service?
- Only when the patient cannot pay
- When the service conflicts with the GP's personal values, provided the patient is referred to another provider (Correct answer)
- Whenever the GP deems it clinically unnecessary
- Only in non-emergency situations with written documentation
Correct answer: When the service conflicts with the GP's personal values, provided the patient is referred to another provider
Conscientious objection is permissible but requires the GP to ensure the patient can access the service through referral.
Question 3: A patient requests access to their medical records. The GP believes disclosure may cause serious harm to the patient. What is the most appropriate action?
- Refuse access entirely and document the refusal
- Consult with a colleague then deny access permanently
- Provide access with an offer to discuss concerns, or apply for a harm-exemption through formal processes (Correct answer)
- Delay access indefinitely until the risk resolves
Correct answer: Provide access with an offer to discuss concerns, or apply for a harm-exemption through formal processes
Under the Privacy Act, harm exemptions exist but must be formally assessed; the GP should first offer to discuss and support the patient.
Question 4: Which of the following best defines 'therapeutic privilege' in the context of RACGP ethics?
- A GP's right to prescribe controlled substances without restriction
- Withholding information from a patient when disclosure would cause serious harm to their health (Correct answer)
- The right of the GP to override patient consent in emergencies
- Prescribing off-label medications based on clinical judgment
Correct answer: Withholding information from a patient when disclosure would cause serious harm to their health
Therapeutic privilege allows withholding information only when disclosure itself poses a serious health risk, and it is applied very narrowly.
Question 5: A GP is asked by an employer to provide a pre-employment health report on a prospective employee who is their existing patient. What should the GP do?
- Complete the report using existing records without informing the patient
- Obtain written consent from the patient and explain what information will be shared (Correct answer)
- Decline all such requests as they represent a conflict of interest
- Forward the complete medical record to the employer
Correct answer: Obtain written consent from the patient and explain what information will be shared
The GP must obtain explicit informed consent from the patient before sharing any health information with a third party such as an employer.
Question 6: Under mandatory reporting obligations for GPs in Australia, which scenario MUST be reported to the Medical Board?
- A colleague who frequently arrives late to clinic
- A treating practitioner with a substance use disorder who has not modified their practice (Correct answer)
- A colleague who disagrees with evidence-based guidelines
- A practitioner who orders more investigations than average
Correct answer: A treating practitioner with a substance use disorder who has not modified their practice
Mandatory reporting is triggered when a practitioner's impairment places the public at risk of harm and they have not taken remedial action.
Question 7: A GP receives a gift valued at $150 from a grateful patient. According to RACGP guidance, what is the most appropriate response?
- Accept it without any consideration as it is below the reportable threshold
- Politely decline, explaining that gifts may affect the professional relationship (Correct answer)
- Accept it and document in the patient's notes
- Donate it to charity and inform the patient
Correct answer: Politely decline, explaining that gifts may affect the professional relationship
RACGP guidance recommends declining gifts that could compromise objectivity or create a sense of obligation, regardless of monetary value.
FRACGP Professional Standards and Ethics 2
A GP discovers they have a bloodborne infectious disease.
According to RACGP ethical guidelines, what is their primary obligation?