The medical field tends to be a widely talked about topic, but many individuals fail to see the full picture and resort to brash assumptions. A number of individuals have stated that they distrust the health care system, believing that it is corrupt, and may be biased towards who receives care. People go against medical opinion, far too often because of their distrust, which can lead to traumatic near death experiences. It is difficult for people to trust the health care system, it is critical that people trust their doctors in order to get the treatments they need. Most importantly, many individuals do not fully understand medical treatment and choose to not question it
In medicine, treatments are explained to patients before they start in order to avoid possible lawsuits. Many people believe that physicians give full disclosure on medical treatment, which seems like a reasonable assumption. Patients need information in order to fully understand what they might be getting themselves into when they are being treated. Many people believe that “the law requires patients be told everything about treatment-the equivalent of giving them the Physicians ' Desk Reference” (Meisel). Patients choose to believe that they know all the facts because it seems like the most logical assumption (Robertson). The reality of informing patients is that it is simply unrealistic to give a patient all the information involved with their treatment. Many physicians believe that sharing all the information invoked with a treatment of procedure could be mentally scarring. Doctors choose the most valuable, or critical information to share with their patients. In a number of articles health care providers stated that: The law requires only that patients be given a reasonable amount of information. In about half the states, the adequacy of disclosure is measured by customary professional practice, which means that patients must be given the information that a reasonable physician would disclose. (Meisel) Although patients wish to be fully informed, the vast number of complications that may occur during treatment cannot simply be told to that patient. The assertion that health professional are required to inform patients of all possibilities of a treatment would imply that patient could fully comprehend them. The information may be limited, but the patient still receives all critical information to their treatment. In an article written by the University of Colorado, the author states: Because those rules are vague, lawyers cannot provide physicians with specific guidance about how to comply. Therefore, physicians sometimes feel driven back into the corner of disclosing everything, which is unnecessary. Further, it is unwise from a legal perspective because physicians could be held liable, though it is not likely, for intentionally inflicting emotional distress on patients by giving them too much information. (Meisel) Describing the full extent of medical treatment would be overwhelming to the patient, and would have the capability of causing emotional trauma. In addition to this, physicians may limit information based …show more content…
Although patients may not understand content at the same level as the physician, they will still have at least a base level assumption. Consent for medical treatment is based on logic, whether an individual is capable of fully understand is not the main concern. A number of sources state: “What is critical is that patients be given information and that they have a chance to use it in formulating a decision, to ask questions about it, and to gather further information” (Meisel). Patients sign consent forms after carefully discussing their treatment with their health care provider and having time to question whether something is truly safe. A patient gives consent after understanding the basic idea of their treatment and the facts behind its safety and effectiveness …show more content…
The fact of the matter is that some hospitals may be corrupt, but it does not simply mean that all of them are. Like with everything, a system cannot be completely bad and still be effective. In healthcare, a number of issues that are considered corrupt or unethical are also illegal and have their fair share of consequences. Healthcare professionals have a large number of consequences that they would have to face if they choose to run a corrupt business. They could have their licenses revoked, or they may be taken to court, which could greatly damage their reputation. With so many possible consequences, it simply is not worth the risk to a number of healthcare providers
In medicine, treatments are explained to patients before they start in order to avoid possible lawsuits. Many people believe that physicians give full disclosure on medical treatment, which seems like a reasonable assumption. Patients need information in order to fully understand what they might be getting themselves into when they are being treated. Many people believe that “the law requires patients be told everything about treatment-the equivalent of giving them the Physicians ' Desk Reference” (Meisel). Patients choose to believe that they know all the facts because it seems like the most logical assumption (Robertson). The reality of informing patients is that it is simply unrealistic to give a patient all the information involved with their treatment. Many physicians believe that sharing all the information invoked with a treatment of procedure could be mentally scarring. Doctors choose the most valuable, or critical information to share with their patients. In a number of articles health care providers stated that: The law requires only that patients be given a reasonable amount of information. In about half the states, the adequacy of disclosure is measured by customary professional practice, which means that patients must be given the information that a reasonable physician would disclose. (Meisel) Although patients wish to be fully informed, the vast number of complications that may occur during treatment cannot simply be told to that patient. The assertion that health professional are required to inform patients of all possibilities of a treatment would imply that patient could fully comprehend them. The information may be limited, but the patient still receives all critical information to their treatment. In an article written by the University of Colorado, the author states: Because those rules are vague, lawyers cannot provide physicians with specific guidance about how to comply. Therefore, physicians sometimes feel driven back into the corner of disclosing everything, which is unnecessary. Further, it is unwise from a legal perspective because physicians could be held liable, though it is not likely, for intentionally inflicting emotional distress on patients by giving them too much information. (Meisel) Describing the full extent of medical treatment would be overwhelming to the patient, and would have the capability of causing emotional trauma. In addition to this, physicians may limit information based …show more content…
Although patients may not understand content at the same level as the physician, they will still have at least a base level assumption. Consent for medical treatment is based on logic, whether an individual is capable of fully understand is not the main concern. A number of sources state: “What is critical is that patients be given information and that they have a chance to use it in formulating a decision, to ask questions about it, and to gather further information” (Meisel). Patients sign consent forms after carefully discussing their treatment with their health care provider and having time to question whether something is truly safe. A patient gives consent after understanding the basic idea of their treatment and the facts behind its safety and effectiveness …show more content…
The fact of the matter is that some hospitals may be corrupt, but it does not simply mean that all of them are. Like with everything, a system cannot be completely bad and still be effective. In healthcare, a number of issues that are considered corrupt or unethical are also illegal and have their fair share of consequences. Healthcare professionals have a large number of consequences that they would have to face if they choose to run a corrupt business. They could have their licenses revoked, or they may be taken to court, which could greatly damage their reputation. With so many possible consequences, it simply is not worth the risk to a number of healthcare providers