Ethics (not law): Do you think a medical physician's first duty is to her loyal staff or to an equally loyal and care-responsible patient?

Oct 2, 2016 · 12:56 AM UTC

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Replying to @mholzschlag
patients always. Hippocratic oath makes that clear.
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Actually @chrisorourke there is nothing in the original or modern Hippocratic oath that explicitly states the patient is first in the sort.
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more replies
Replying to @mholzschlag
First duty is to wider public, maybe? e.g., if patient has infectious life-threatening disease, containment is highest priority
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That's a strong point. Public safety is also patient, physician and staff safety when regarding infectious diseases especially!
Replying to @mholzschlag
In his book After The Goldrush, Steve McConnell suggests a professional's first duty should be to the public
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I will look for that book! I like your point. It's an "out of the box" perspective for lack of a less annoying cliche ;-)
Replying to @mholzschlag
Can see that *feeling* like a tough one for a doc/boss/manager in private practice, but patient. That's the purpose of the job.
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I agree. I also agree an earlier mention that the public safety (such as infectious disease) as a top priority is reasonable.
Replying to @mholzschlag
And the staff should be loyal to the patient first as well!
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Replying to @mholzschlag
Physician's first duty should always be the patient.
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