Do doctors have a legal or moral obligation?

Question

If during hospitalization for internal bleeding from ulcers in the esphogus and esophogeal varies, the doctor suspects Hepatitis and runs a Hepatitis test, shouldn't the doctor tell you they are running these test and shouldn't the doctor give you these results? My husband was hospitalized for these two things on two different occasions. He saw the same doctor both times. The second time, the doctor ordered Hep testing, but did not tell us. He, my husband, never followed up with this doctor, he did not like the doctor. However, now we find out from another doctor, 3 years later, when he was hospitalized again, that he does indeed have Hepatitis C. We got the prior doctor's records and find out three years ago he was tested and came back positive. That's three years he could have been getting treatment. If he would have told us he suspected and was testing for Hepatitis C, we would have at least followed this up to get the results. Now the liver is to damaged to treat the hep.

By the way Kristen C. In Texas Hepatitis C has to be report to the state within 5 days.

Answer 1

Yes, a doctor has a legal obligation to convey results like that. See an attorney about this serious matter.

Answer 2

He probably intended to discuss it with your husband at his next appointment, but as you said, he didn't keep it. How do you know the physician didn't try to contact your husband? Hepatitis C is a chronic condition and does damage to your liver over many years. Your husband likely acquired it many years ago (sometimes 30+ years) and didn't know he had it, so 3 years doesn't really make much of a difference. The treatment for Hep C only works for about 40-50% of the people that do it and not everyone is a candidate for the treatment. Just to correct one of the previous responders, Hep C is NOT a reportable disease.

Answer 3

This is a two fold question. Physicians are bound by the hippocratic oath that states many parts, the most prevalent being, DO no harm. I do not know all of the circumstances surrounding this but alot of times doctors will order tests and tell the patient that they will be performing a series of tests to rule out any and all possible reasons for the esophageal ulcers. I know that with cases that are sensitive as in this, informed consent must be granted by the patient or caretaker. It may have been something as simple as the patient reading the fine print or it could be something potentially negligent as the doctor not carrying out the required procedures to infom the patient of the tests that will be administered. Not a professional on this specific area but I know that you can research more. Type in medical ethics, informed consent and find a really good lawyer that practices as a medical ethicist.

Answer 4

I've tried to find a specific law on notification of the patient and his/her spouse, with the exception of HIV/AIDs and some apparent push by the WHO to have such a law exist, beter enforced, or created, I can't find any law that compels the general notification of diseases. I'm not saying others here who've told you that that doctor broke the law are wrong, but that I can't verify it, though I would presume they are correct, at least in terms of "ethical common sense." Of course you should speak with a malpractice attorney, and I also would suggest getting a hold of the hospital's own policy opn patient notification, and subpoenaing the records of the doctor. A pattern of such behavior might be grounds for a negligence civil suit, if not a criminal one.

I wish you the best of luck.

Answer 5

the doctor should have explained to the both of you there are different types of hepatitis caused by different things there really isn't a complete cure for any of them.i know the doctor told him to eat all healthy food groups,drink water,stay away from alcohol and get bed rest;in addition take iron pills to keep the blood build up.good luck,hepatitis is very common,more common then what people think ,you can live for many, many years if you do the right things in life. god bless and keep you and your husband and family.

Answer 6

this is no longer about moral responsibilities, this is about imposed economic responsibilities by technique of the authorities. this is unlike I somewhat have a call to help those of lesser status, if huge-spread health care is made a actuality i'd be compelled to help them, adversarial to my will if necessary. Now, I somewhat have a accurate to be grasping if i opt to be. I do donate to charity, yet i decide on at the same time as and how a lot and which charity. huge-spread health care doesn't paintings like that: the authorities takes in anybody's money, disproportionately from the wealthy and redistributes it because it sees in advantageous condition. it truly is called socialism and that i strongly oppose it. health care is severe priced in this united states because we've an outstanding gadget. countless the perfect medical doctors and maximum cutting part strategies are in difficulty-free words accessible right here. the reason why is because it is a capitalist gadget it truly is worthwhile and encourages funding. Socializing this gadget will lavatory down its progression. because the U. S. is between the top-rated pioneers in advancing drugs, huge-spread health care will be undesirable for the international when we end advancing the state of the market.

Answer 7

I have news for you, the New England Journal of Medicine did a study to see what killed the most people each year. They shot themselves in the foot when the answer came up: the doctors. 250,000 people die each year because the doctor misdiagnoses a problem, gives drugs for it... and the patient dies.

For hep c, read these studies http://newenglandnutritives.com/pro_boost_thymic.htm

Answer 8

If a doctor was to tell everysingle patient and explanation for everysingle test he or she ran, no one would ever be seen. Doc's run tests to find out what the heck is wrong with us. And they filter through the pertinent stuff. BUT the doctor does have the obligation of telling you your diagnosis, HELLO! By the way, you have Hepatitis. And that my dear, has nothing to do with morals. If he is not a Nephrologist (Kidney and liver doctor) or an internest, then he should have referred you to one.

Answer 9

Doctors are quacks! Dont believe me? Next time your doctor prescribes an antibiotic, ask him if you should be taking acidophilous. I bet he/she says no. And he/she might not even be sure what you are talking about.
Acidophilous is the "good" bacteria that grows in your intestines. If you take an antibiotic, it will kill ALL bacteria. Both good and bad. You need to take the beneficial bacteria to maintain proper health. Take your anitbiotics, but make sure you take acidophilus too. Or at least eat some yogurt (it has acidophilous in it).
But like I said.
Doctors are quacks!

Answer 10

He absolutely had an obligation to communicate the results to your husband. I don't know if he had to tell you he was ordering the test but he definitely is legally (malpractice) and morally obligated to give the results. I am not sure what treatment could have been started but either way he should have been told.