Book contents
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Contributors
- Acknowledgments
- Introduction
- PART ONE DEFINING MEDICAL PROFESSIONALISM
- PART TWO CASES INVOLVING MEDICAL STUDENTS
- PART THREE CASES INVOLVING PHYSICIANS
- 3 Principle of Primacy of Patient Welfare
- 4 Principle of Patient Autonomy
- 5 Principle of Social Justice
- 6 Commitment to Honesty with Patients
- 7 Commitment to Patient Confidentiality
- 8 Commitment to Improving Quality of Care
- 9 Commitment to Maintaining Trust by Managing Conflicts of Interest
- 10 Commitment to Professional Responsibilities
- APPENDIX: Cases by Specialty
- Index
- References
10 - Commitment to Professional Responsibilities
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 25 February 2010
Book contents
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Contributors
- Acknowledgments
- Introduction
- PART ONE DEFINING MEDICAL PROFESSIONALISM
- PART TWO CASES INVOLVING MEDICAL STUDENTS
- PART THREE CASES INVOLVING PHYSICIANS
- 3 Principle of Primacy of Patient Welfare
- 4 Principle of Patient Autonomy
- 5 Principle of Social Justice
- 6 Commitment to Honesty with Patients
- 7 Commitment to Patient Confidentiality
- 8 Commitment to Improving Quality of Care
- 9 Commitment to Maintaining Trust by Managing Conflicts of Interest
- 10 Commitment to Professional Responsibilities
- APPENDIX: Cases by Specialty
- Index
- References
Summary
COMMITMENT TO PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES – ADULT PRIMARY CARE
A family physician has seen an unmarried female patient for many years. She is now fifty years old. He has been managing her preventive medical care as well as osteoarthritis and “white-coat hypertension.” Following his divorce, he encounters this patient at a social event and they become romantically involved.
A Perspective from a Primary Care Physician
Clinical Background
“White coat hypertension” is a common clinical finding in which patients are found to have high blood pressure readings in the medical office, but normal readings when home or at rest. Blood pressure normally varies with different activities and times of day. However, some people have hypertensive readings while in stressful or anxiety-producing situations, but normal pressure at other times. White coat hypertension is an example of this phenomenon. Continuous ambulatory blood pressure testing permits determination of mean systolic and diastolic pressures over twenty-four hours. Many authorities believe patients with mean pressures of 135/85 or above should be treated. However, the value of treating white coat hypertension with medication remains controversial.
Professionalism Considerations
The ancient oath of Hippocrates includes several specific injunctions that contemporary oath-takers might find archaic or controversial. Among these are pledges to avoid performing surgery, abortion, and euthanasia.
Information
- Type
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- Professionalism in MedicineA Case-Based Guide for Medical Students, pp. 397 - 452Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2009
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