Research article summary (published 29 Apr 2002):

Taking off the white coat: can family members who are physicians be good surrogate decision-makers?

Full Abstract

The challenges inherent in physicians treating members of their own families are well known. However, the issues related to physicians acting as surrogate decision-makers on behalf of relatives have not been addressed. The growing number of older persons will increase the need not only for healthcare resources, but also for physicians to act on behalf of incapacitated family members as surrogate decision-makers. In this paper, some of the clinical and ethical tensions evoked by physicians serving as surrogate decision-makers for family members are explored. Some recommendations for managing these tensions are suggested.

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Author information

Author/s: Issa, Amalia M (AM);

Affiliation: Division of Medical Ethics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA. aissa(-atsign-)siumeda.edu

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Journal: Journal of the American Geriatrics Society (J Am Geriatr Soc), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2002-May; vol 50 (issue 5) : pp 946-8

Dates: Created 2002/05/24; Completed 2002/06/12; Revised 2008/03/10;

PMID: 12028185, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 12/26/2008)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Caregivers - psychology Conflict of Interest Decision Making Ethics, Medical Family - psychology

Humans Physician-Patient Relations Physicians - psychology Proxy Third-Party Consent

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