The Doctor-Patient Relationship: When Doctors Do Not Tell the Truth
Compass Points
Premiere Date: Tuesday, January 22, 2013This activity offers CE credit for:
- Physicians (CME)
- Other
All other clinicians will receive a Certificate of Attendance stating this activity was certified for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
Credit Expiration Date:
Wednesday, January 22, 2014
Note: Credit Is No Longer Available
 | Robert S. Kennedy, MA Medical Program Director CME Outfitters, LLC Bethesda, MD |
Open and honest communication is one of the fundamental ingredients of medical care. However, studies have shown that doctors lie to their patients.(1) The Charter on Professionalism in Medicine recommends honesty and transparency in doctor – patient relationships.(2) Recent studies reveal that doctors are not complying with these recommendations and admit that they may not be honest with their patients about the severity of an illness or about medical errors.(1)
This Compass Points™ article highlights the doctor-patient communication dynamic and details the salient areas where doctors may not be open and honest in the relationship. Several common issues result in clinicians’ being neither forthcoming with information nor honest in communication with patients; some because of patients’ personal issues and others because of the clinician-patient relationship.
- Iezzoni LI, Rao SR, DesRoches CM, Vogeli C, Campbell EG. Survey shows that at least some physicians are not always open or honest with patients. Health Aff (Millwood). 2012;31(2):383-391. PMID: 22323169.
- Brennan T, Blank L, Cohen J, et al. Medical professionalism in the new millennium: a physician charter. Ann Intern Med. 2002;136(3):243-246. PMID: 11827500.
To improve awareness of the importance of honesty in the doctor-patient relationship and ways in which it may affect health care and patient health outcomes.
At the end of this CE activity, participants should be able to:
- Define and recognize the many reasons that doctors may lie or withhold information in the doctor-patient relationship.
- Routinely review patient expectations in clinical discussions, include these expectations in treatment plans, and explore all of the information that patients should know.
- Encourage and discuss openness and honesty in the clinical relationship, and improve awareness of the role of and impact of the clinician in this relationship.
This activity is supported by CME Outfitters, LLC
Physicians and other health care providers interested in improving the communication dynamic between clinicians and patients.
CME Credit (Physicians):
CME Outfitters, LLC, is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
CME Outfitters, LLC, designates this enduring material for a maximum of .5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
Post-tests, credit request forms, and activity evaluations must be completed online at www.cmeoutfitters.com/TST753 (requires free account activation), and participants can print their certificate or statement of credit immediately (80% pass rate required). This website supports all browsers except Internet Explorer for Mac. For complete technical requirements and privacy policy, visit www.neurosciencecme.com/technical.asp.
Disclosure Declaration
It is the policy of CME Outfitters, LLC, to ensure independence, balance, objectivity, and scientific rigor and integrity in all of their CE activities. Faculty must disclose to the participants any relationships with commercial companies whose products or devices may be mentioned in faculty presentations, or with the commercial supporter of this CE activity. CME Outfitters, LLC, has evaluated, identified, and attempted to resolve any potential conflicts of interest through a rigorous content validation procedure, use of evidence-based data/research, and a multidisciplinary peer review process. The following information is for participant information only. It is not assumed that these relationships will have a negative impact on the presentations.
Robert Kennedy, MA has no disclosures to report.
Tony Graham, MD (peer/content reviewer) has no disclosures to report.
Joy Bartnett Leffler, MLA, NASW, CSE (planning committee) has no disclosures to report.
Sandra Haas Binford, MAEd (planning committee) has no disclosures to report.
Unlabeled Use Disclosure
Faculty of this CE activity may include discussions of products or devices that are not currently labeled for use by the FDA. The faculty have been informed of their responsibility to disclose to the audience if they will be discussing off-label or investigational uses (any uses not approved by the FDA) of products or devices.
CME Outfitters, LLC, and the faculty do not endorse the use of any product outside of the FDA labeled indications. Medical professionals should not utilize the procedures, products, or diagnosis techniques discussed during this activity without evaluation of their patient for contraindications or dangers of use.
Questions about this activity? Call us at 877.CME.PROS (877.263.7767).
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