Ethical nuances of combining romance with medical practice.
An elderly, widowed man with early dementia has required several surgical procedures for treatment of peripheral vascular disease over the years. Each of the operations has been performed by a single surgeon, for whom the patient and his family have developed enormous respect and admiration. The patient is quite wealthy, and at the urging of his unmarried adult daughter, his guardian, has endowed a professorship and directed that this surgeon be the first appointment to the new position. The surgeon has recently divorced, and soon after he accepts the medical school offer the daughter invites him to dinner alone at her apartment. What should he do?
Jones
James W
JW
Center from Medical Ethics and Health Policy, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX 77030, USA. jwjones@bcm.tmc.edu
McCullough
Laurence B
LB
Richman
Bruce W
BW
D000368:Aged; D004992:Ethics, Medical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D014656:Vascular Surgical Procedures