title: Legal implications of treating HIV patients.
abstract: A patient's HIV status often has significant impact on a physician's willingness and ability to provide quality medical care. A physician may face substantial penalties for refusing to treat a patient who has HIV. Even the referral of a patient with HIV to an HIV specialist may constitute a discriminatory act. The law provides certain guidelines that, if followed, may keep a physician out of the courtroom.
authors.affiliation: South Texas College of Law, Houston, USA.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Katine
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Hyatt
mesh_terms: D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000635:transmission; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011287:Prejudice; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D016079:Refusal to Treat / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D014481:United States