Kansas Physicians – What to Do if Family Members or Friends Ask for Medical Advice

It is always nice to have that one doctor in the family that you can call for medical advice after office hours, receiving access to a physician’s care and services that other patients are not able to receive.  Many Kansas physicians often wonder if it is unethical for them to provide free medical care and/or advice to family members or friends.  There is a slippery slope where Kansas physicians must draw the line between familial and personal relationships and the physician-patient relationship.  There are a few steps Kansas physicians can take when answering medical questions and/or providing medical care to family and friends.

Be Clear on the Scope of Your Medical Services

Even if you are speaking with your closest cousin, you still should approach a medical situation as if your cousin was any other patient you are not related to.  This ensures that your cousin is receiving fair and quality medical care and/or advice, and that the standard of care is no different.  As long as your family member or friend fully understands what you are advising him or her on or treating him or her for, you have done your duty of drawing the line between a family relationship and clinical medicine.

Keep it Confidential

Most Kansas professionals are aware of the importance of confidentiality as it relates to any profession.  When it comes to medical care, federal and state laws have strict measures for protecting a patient’s medical information.  When helping a family member or friend, there may be a tendency to assume that other family members or friends are aware of this particular individual’s medical condition.  Even if it may be difficult to keep very important medical information away from certain family members and friends, sharing such information violates your patient’s rights as well as raises serious ethical concerns and the potential suspension or loss of your Kansas medical license.  This is why many physicians refuse to treat their family members and friends for certain medical conditions, preventing the issue from ever arising.

There will certainly be situations where prompt medical attention or basic medical advice may be given, and that is perfectly acceptable.  It is the more serious medical issues and more sensitive information that often presents a situation where you must have two separate relationships with your family member or friend – one as the relative or friend, and the other as only the physician.  If you have questions about how to handle issues involving family or friends seeking medical advice and/or treatment from you, speaking with a Kansas Professional License Defense Attorney will help to answer your questions and ease your concerns.

Contact Danielle Sanger of the Sanger Law Office Today to Schedule Your Free Consultation

If you are a Kansas physician and you are facing the potential suspension or loss of your medical license, it is important that you consult with a highly skilled Kansas Professional License Defense Attorney right away.  The rules governing the scope of a physician’s ability to offer certain medical care to family or friends isn’t always easy to understand.  No two situations will ever be alike, so it is difficult to determine whether medical care or advice is allowed in one situation and not in another.  As such, working alongside an attorney will help you fully understand your situation and what’s at stake.  Kansas Professional License Defense Attorney Danielle Sanger of the Sanger Law Office has the dedication, resources, and experience to provide you with well-rounded legal representation, as she is a former Assistant Attorney General of Kansas with a unique perspective from the other side.  If you would like to schedule a free consultation to discuss your case, contact Danielle Sanger today by calling (785) 979-4353.


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