A Doctor in the House, An Ethical Consideration on Treating Their Family Members: A Mixed-Method Study

Area of Science:

• Medical Ethics
• Physician Practice

Background:

• The ethical dilemma of physicians treating family members is a long-standing medical issue.
• Doctors often feel compelled to treat family, yet struggle with setting personal boundaries.
• This study investigates physician experiences with treating family in Tamil Nadu, India.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the experiences of doctors in Perambalur District, Tamil Nadu, India, regarding the treatment of their family members.
• To understand the ethical considerations and challenges faced by physicians in such scenarios.

Main Methods:

• A mixed-method study involving 72 doctors in Perambalur District, Tamil Nadu, India (December 2021-October 2022).
• Utilized semi-structured questionnaires and focused group discussions (FGDs).
• Data analyzed using SPSS, with scatter plots, chi-square tests, and a fish herringbone model for qualitative data.

Main Results:

• 100% of doctors received medical requests from family members; 66.6% treated them.
• Key concerns included maintaining objectivity, emotional attachment, and confidentiality.
• A positive correlation was found between doctor's age/experience and frequency of treating family.

Conclusions:

• Over three-fourths of doctors treated family members, while one-fourth declined due to ethical concerns.
• Challenges include managing complex cases, decision-making biases, and conflicts of interest.
• Emphasizes the need for enhanced medical ethics education and clear guidelines in India.