An Ethical Accountability to the Patient-Physician Relationship
July 12, 2022
The American College of Chest Physicians (CHEST) strongly supports the
rights of the patient to make health care decisions in private consultation
with a physician and opposes the use of legislative action, whether federal
or state, to erode the foundation of trust that must exist between a
patient and physician.
From the earliest versions of the Hippocratic Oath, physicians have
promised to protect the privacy of their patient and to put the interests
of their patient above their own. The US Supreme Court’s recent action
opens the door to state legislation that directly challenges the
physician’s ability to discuss every evidence-based medical treatment
option available with their patient.
In addition, the right to patient privacy has also been made vulnerable.
CHEST stands in opposition to the disclosure, use, transfer, or sale of
sensitive health-related patient data without the individual's full
consent. No physician should be compelled to divulge their patient’s
private medical information, including to law enforcement.
It is not known what laws will be enacted by individual states, but it is
known that patients will not be uniformly affected. When access to
evidence-based health care is restricted, and trust in the physician
diminished, historic health inequities are exacerbated. Any action that
further jeopardizes the health of systemically disadvantaged people, such
as communities of color, people living in rural areas and those with low
incomes, is in direct opposition to CHEST’s commitment to promoting health
equity and eliminating health care disparities.
Physicians have a duty to advocate on behalf of their patients. CHEST
encourages its members to speak against any action that invades, weakens, or usurps the ability of
the patient to discuss medical options with their physician freely and to
receive appropriate medical care without delay or interference.
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