title: Ordering Stains That Aren't Indicated.
abstract: The pathologist rarely interacts with patients face-to-face, but he or she nonetheless maintains a crucial relationship with the patient (i.e., the patient-pathologist relationship). A more tangible relationship, the pathologist-clinician relationship, is typically augmented by the patient-pathologist relationship, but at times the two distinct relationships are at odds, creating ethical dilemmas for the pathologist. This case study and discussion highlight some of these potential ethical questions and underscore the need for pathologists and clinicians to have cooperative, collaborative, and professional relationships. Pathologists should feel empowered to guide the clinician's use of appropriate clinical testing to ensure proper management of the patient and responsible use of health care resources.
authors.affiliation: Resident in anatomic and clinical pathology at the University of Michigan Hospital and Health System in Ann Arbor.
authors.forename: Martin J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Magers
authors.affiliation: Clinical professor in the Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, at the University of Michigan Hospital and Health System in Ann Arbor.
authors.forename: Sandro K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Cinti
mesh_terms: D001706:Biopsy / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods; D004396:Coloring Agents / Q000191:economics; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D003363:Cost Control; D004992:Ethics, Medical; D017048:Health Care Costs; D006295:Health Resources; D006801:Humans; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D000072142:Pathologists / Q000941:ethics; D010338:Pathology, Clinical / Q000941:ethics* / Q000379:methods; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations
chemical_list: D004396:Coloring Agents