Question

Question text

Case Study:

Sherman H. is taken into an exam roon in the office of Dr. K. by the medical assistiant, Mary. Mary gets int a discussion with Sherman about their mutually favorite sports teams. As Mary leaves the exam room, she accidentally places Sherman's medical files on the counter. While Sherman waits for Dr. K., he reads trhoug them and and is shocked to discover that his recent HIV test came back positive. Sherman panics and runs out of the office without seeing Dr. K.

Dr. K. tries to reach Sherman but there is no answer on his phone. Dr. K. then sends a letter marked "Confidential" to Brian's home, stating that he must be treated and needs to inform his partners about his HIV status. Sherman does not respond to this letter.

Please answer the following case questions (20 points):

1. What else can Dr. K. do to meet his obligations to report a communicable disease?

2. What responsibility does the medical assistant, Mary, have relating to this problem?

3. How might Sherman be encouraged to report his condition to his sexual partners?

4. Did any ethical or legal violations occur? Please identify and describe

Answer 1

1) Inndealing with otbreaks of communicablw diseases,

The Doctor K should work with public health authorities to promote the use of interventions that achieve desired public health outcomes qith minimal infrongement ipon individual liberties.

In implementing such measures , Doctor K ahould take necessary actions to promote the patients well being.

Ina ddition , Doctor k should also be responsible for taking appropriate precautionary measures to protect the health of individuals caring for the patients with communicable diseases.

Physicians are ethically obligated to safegaurd patients privacy and should not reveal confidential communications or information without the express consent of the patient , unless requored to do so by law.

There fore physicians must comply with legal requirements to report affected patients to appropriate public.