Professionalism & Medical Ethics Flashcards

A physician accepts payments from a laboratory for each patient referred for testing. Which law is most directly violated?

Answer: Anti-Kickback Statute

The Anti-Kickback Statute prohibits offering or receiving remuneration in exchange for federal health program referrals.

A physician uses a family member as an interpreter for a patient with limited English proficiency when a professional interpreter is available. The main concern is:

Answer: Accuracy and confidentiality may be compromised

Family interpreters may omit, filter, or misinterpret information and compromise confidentiality.

Which situation most clearly reflects a breach of professional boundaries?

Answer: Hiring a current patient to do paid work at the physician's home

Dual relationships such as employing a current patient blur boundaries and risk exploitation.

A physician-researcher fails to tell participants about a known risk in a clinical trial. This violates which core research ethics concept?

Answer: Informed consent

Research participants must be informed of foreseeable risks to give valid informed consent.

A physician has a personal moral objection to a legal service a patient requests. The most ethically appropriate response is to:

Answer: Inform the patient and facilitate a timely referral to another provider

Conscientious objection is acceptable when the patient is informed and access to care is not obstructed.

Which OCC component requires osteopathic physicians to complete AOA-specified Category 1-A CME credits each cycle?

Answer: Lifelong learning / continuing medical education

The lifelong learning component (Component 2) sets CME requirements for each OCC cycle.

A physician learns a patient has a condition that state law requires reporting to the health department. What should the physician do?

Answer: Report it as required by law

Mandatory public health reporting is a legally required exception to confidentiality.