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Physicians and the Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome

Physicians and the Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome To the Editor.— I have written about,1 and given careful thought to, the issues posed by Gerbert et al2 on the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected physician. Should physicians be required to disclose to their patients that they are infected with HIV? The law of informed consent requires disclosure of material risks to patients. However, the risk of transmission from physician to patient is so remote that the law ought not to require disclosure. A physician could not realistically continue to practice medicine when patients in the community know of his or her infection. Should infected physicians be restricted in the practice of medicine? There are at least 14 court cases where health care professionals have been excluded from their practices by hospitals or physician partnerships.3 Patients cannot be assured a risk-free hospital environment. Provided the risks are remote, and rigorous precautions are used, infected physicians should be http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png JAMA American Medical Association

Physicians and the Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome

Gostin, Larry
JAMA , Volume 264 (4) – Jul 25, 1990
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References (3)

Publisher
American Medical Association
Copyright
Copyright © 1990 American Medical Association. All Rights Reserved. Applicable FARS/DFARS Restrictions Apply to Government Use.
ISSN
0098-7484
eISSN
1538-3598
DOI
10.1001/jama.1990.03450040040016
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

To the Editor.— I have written about,1 and given careful thought to, the issues posed by Gerbert et al2 on the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected physician. Should physicians be required to disclose to their patients that they are infected with HIV? The law of informed consent requires disclosure of material risks to patients. However, the risk of transmission from physician to patient is so remote that the law ought not to require disclosure. A physician could not realistically continue to practice medicine when patients in the community know of his or her infection. Should infected physicians be restricted in the practice of medicine? There are at least 14 court cases where health care professionals have been excluded from their practices by hospitals or physician partnerships.3 Patients cannot be assured a risk-free hospital environment. Provided the risks are remote, and rigorous precautions are used, infected physicians should be

Journal

JAMA – American Medical Association

Published: Jul 25, 1990

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