Guarding the Physician-Patient Relationship - Assignment Example

Before you begin, save this document to your computer. You will need to submit your answers in the area indicated below.As a member of a medical professional team, you will work closely with many physicians. As you have read this week, guarding the physician-patient relationship is serious business. In this assignment you will practice what you have learned in chapters 5 and 7 in the Medical Law and Ethics textbook:Federal privacy laws that pertain to healthcare and the "Patient's Bill of Rights" Privacy, confidentiality, and privileged communicationsFiling birth and death certificatesExamples of communicable diseases which must be reported to local, state and/or federal authoritiesThe Controlled Substance ActTips for answering questions:Read the question more than twice, if necessary, to make sure you understand what you are asked to do.

Find the key words in the question and construct your answer to address those key words or phrases of the question.Your answer should be organized and to the point.Keep your sentences short and simple. Pay attention to the answer length requirements (if stated).If necessary, go the extra mile and give examples to illustrate your point.Before you continue:Did you save this document to your computer?No: Please save this document to your computer now. Yes: Great! Let’s get to work!(See next page for part 1)Question 1: Your boss, Dr.

Williams, has been treating a very popular celebrity who has committed suicide.Choose a deceased celebrity. Write a professional statement for Dr. Williams and her staff to give to reporters when they call Dr. Williams’ office.30 pointsDirections to complete Question 1:You can use the internet to help you search for a deceased celebrity.Please answer the question in 8 to 10 complete sentences, using proper grammar and spelling. Answer:On behalf of Dr. Williams, I would extend my condolences to the family of Robin Williams through suicide.

Robin Williams was a celebrated comedian who made us happy in our living rooms and his decision to take his own life was traumatizing because I have been treating for many years. He often displayed optimism to battle his illnesses and was eager to bounce back to the industry. I believe he should have chosen life instead of death. While his condition was beginning to improve, he started to become a pessimist. He constantly talked of suicidal feelings that I dissuaded him from entertaining. However, he seemed not to care in spite of my professional warning.

It is, therefore, unfortunate to notify you that we shall not have him anymore. (See next page for part 2)Question 2: How soon after death does a death certificate have to be signed?10 pointsDirections to complete Question 2:Respond to the question using your own wordsAnswer: A death certificate is often signed immediately the family or next of kin applies to claim the body of the deceased. It is a process must be ratified by a coroner or mortuary attendant who oversees the legality of claimants before issuing the body (Adcock & Chancellor, 2013).

Similarly, signing must be overseen by the coroner who has prepared the body in collaboration with the Health ministry. The death certificate must remain with immediate next of kin mentioned in the deceased’s will such as the children or the widow.(See next page for part 3) In spite of the advantages offered by Electronic Health Records (EHRs) to physicians and their practices, the adoption of EHRs is still impossible. First, EHRs are expensive to adopt because they require qualified personnel with enough knowledge to ensure the systems do not fail.

Second, involves contravention of privacy and confidentiality of patients as spelt out in Health ethics. In other words, EHRs may use the patient’s records for other uses and not for medical purposes. Therefore, as a staff member, I would offer the physician the advice of balancing between non-electronic and electronic methods is the best way to store patient data for safety. You will earn additional points if you correctly submit the worksheet to the assignment dropbox.5 pointsYou will earn additional points if you use proper sentence structure, grammar and spelling.

5 pointsTOTAL POINTS70 pointsReferenceAdcock, J. & Chancellor, A. (2013). Death Investigations. New York, NY: Springer.