USMLE Ethics Question 3



Q: John is a 55 year old man who works as a bus driver for the city of Washington DC. He had a stroke 6 months ago from which recovered well except that he has had 2 seizures in last 4 months and has focal damage on an MRI from the stroke. As his physician you believe that he is at risk of having more seizures and you have started him on antiepileptics. He requests his doctor not to mention his seizures to his employer as this may result in loss of his job and he is the sole earner in his family. What should you do?

A: Try to convince him to tell his employer. If he refuses you have to inform the appropriate the authorities because you have a duty towards him as well as the society.

1 comment:

  1. He has a duty to report because patient poses risk to self and others.

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for your time.