title: The unwritten contract between physician and patient.
abstract: There is a basic understanding between the family physician and the family under his care. His responsibility is to provide medical care and to assist with emotional problems and conflicts which arise from time to time in a growing family. In return, the family is expected to acknowledge his good will and professional skill. Under ideal conditions, this should produce an atmosphere of mutual understanding and trust. However, the strength of the unwritten contract is tested when problems become complex, difficult, or even tragic. What are the physician's moral obligations then, and how binding is this contract? A case study illustrates how the physician might approach these issues.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lichtblau