Casper prompt and questions

Question

You are a brain surgeon who recently performed a life-saving operation for a patient. Weeks later, you are flipping through a gossip magazine when you see a picture of your patient walking his daughter down the aisle. You had not realized his daughter was famous. A paragraph in the article is dedicated to your patient’s illness, and he is quoted saying: “I am forever grateful to my doctor, who saved my life. Without him, I would not be here today.” You are touched and decide to buy the magazine and take it home. 1. Would you show the article to your family and friends? 2. What if a few weeks later, your patient sends you a thank you card in the mail with a copy of the magazine? Would that change your answer to the previous question? 3. Should doctors take additional precautions when their patients are famous? Why or why not?

Answer 1

HIPAA is always the main consideration. The doctor would be unable to disclose that this was his patient to anybody outside of the direct care team for this patient, even after the patient sent a thank you card and mentioned the doctor in his interview. It would be a violation of privacy for the doctor to disclose this information. Doctors should provide the same high level of confidentiality with all patients. While famous patients may have more inquiries from those in the population trying to obtain information, the doctor would address these inquiries the same he/she would for any patient and uphold the confidentiality of the patient.