Here are 18 statistics on ethical dilemmas for physicians, based on a survey conducted for Medscape's 2012 Ethics Report.
Is it ever acceptable to perform 'unnecessary' procedures due to malpractice concerns?
Yes — 23 percent
No — 55 percent
It depends — 22 percent
Would you ever hide information from a patient about a terminal diagnosis to bolster their spirits?
Yes — 10 percent
No — 72 percent
It depends — 18 percent
Is it ever acceptable to cover up a mistake if that mistake would not cause the patient harm?
Yes — 16 percent
No — 63 percent
It depends — 21 percent
Should physician-assisted suicides be allowed in some situations?
Yes — 47 percent
No — 40 percent
It depends — 13 percent
Would you drop insurers that don't pay well, even though some longtime patients would probably have to stop seeing you?
Yes — 27 percent
No — 41 percent
It depends — 32 percent
Is it ever acceptable to overstate or falsify a patient's condition when submitting claims or seeking prior authorization?
Yes — 13 percent
No — 75 percent
It depends — 12 percent
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Is it ever acceptable to perform 'unnecessary' procedures due to malpractice concerns?
Yes — 23 percent
No — 55 percent
It depends — 22 percent
Would you ever hide information from a patient about a terminal diagnosis to bolster their spirits?
Yes — 10 percent
No — 72 percent
It depends — 18 percent
Is it ever acceptable to cover up a mistake if that mistake would not cause the patient harm?
Yes — 16 percent
No — 63 percent
It depends — 21 percent
Should physician-assisted suicides be allowed in some situations?
Yes — 47 percent
No — 40 percent
It depends — 13 percent
Would you drop insurers that don't pay well, even though some longtime patients would probably have to stop seeing you?
Yes — 27 percent
No — 41 percent
It depends — 32 percent
Is it ever acceptable to overstate or falsify a patient's condition when submitting claims or seeking prior authorization?
Yes — 13 percent
No — 75 percent
It depends — 12 percent
More Articles on Analysis:
Texas Ambulatory Surgery Center Society Proposes Out-of-Network Methodology Updates
Virox Technologies Receives LEED Silver Certification
ASIPP Releases 2013 Guidelines for Interventional Spinal Pain Relief Techniques