title: When public health competes with individual needs.
abstract: A case of a homeless, alcoholic man with tuberculosis is presented. This case is used to illustrate the ethical dilemmas health care providers must face when the needs of society and the actions of the patient come into conflict. In addition to discussing historical cases of conflicts between individual rights and the needs of society, two models for solving the dilemma in the current case are considered.
mesh_terms: D000437:Alcoholism / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy; D000995:Antitubercular Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004992:Ethics, Medical; D006703:Ill-Housed Persons; D006801:Humans; D007206:Individuality; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D010349:Patient Compliance; D011634:Public Health / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D014376:Tuberculosis / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D000995:Antitubercular Agents