Genetic disorders and medical malpractice

Physicians who encounter a patient with a genetic disorder are under the same legal obligation to that patient as they are to each patient whom they treat. They are required to possess sufficient knowledge, training, and skill with respect to the particular subject to provide proper medical services in a competent manner. Physicians are required to act reasonably in accordance with the information that they acquire. The courts have held that reasonable conduct includes properly evaluating and diagnosing the medical condition, adequately informing the patient of the consequences of the diagnosis, and alerting other potentially inflicted individuals. The best advice to the practicing dermatologist who encounters a patient with a genetic disorder is that he or she maintain a high standard of medical care, combined with personal respect for each individual patient, which calls for both a sensitive awareness of the profound psychologic implications of the disorder and a thorough, meaningful dialogue encompassing informed consent.