Chapter 8: Ethical and Legal Issues in Family Practice

When patient and physician come together, they establish a special relationship. This relationship is more profound than a mere contractual agreement in regard to the patient’s health. Of course, the patient chooses to entrust his or her health care and well-being to the physician, and the physician, in accepting this arrangement, agrees to perform the required services. The law also imposes on the physician a duty toward the patient to possess and employ reasonable skill and care. But in addition, the physician assumes special ethical responsibilities founded on loyalty, confidentiality, and trust. In legal terms, the physician becomes a fiduciary.