ethics/professional misconduct

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689e7488fb44f3cd6134f64c

Ethicolegal

ethics

professional misconduct

Case History

A PGY-2 family medicine resident, Dr. Chen, is managing a busy walk-in clinic shift in downtown Toronto. Ms. Evelyn Reed, a 68-year-old patient with a complex medical history including poorly controlled hypertension and type 2 diabetes, presents with new onset generalized fatigue. During the consultation, Ms. Reed mentions that she often struggles to afford her prescribed medications and sometimes skips doses. Dr. Chen, feeling pressed for time due to a long waiting list of patients and anticipating the end of her shift, documents "Patient denies any medication non-adherence" in the electronic medical record, despite Ms. Reed's explicit verbal disclosure. Dr. Chen then proceeds to adjust Ms. Reed's antihypertensive medication dosage based on her current blood pressure reading, without accounting for potential non-adherence. What is the primary ethical and legal ramification of Dr. Chen's documentation in this scenario?

Lab Parameter	Value	Reference Range

A ) This constitutes a minor documentation error with no significant legal implications, as patient care was provided.

B ) Dr. Chen's actions are primarily a breach of medical professionalism, subject to internal departmental review but unlikely to result in formal disciplinary action.

C ) Dr. Chen's deliberate misrepresentation of patient information in the medical record constitutes a serious breach of professional integrity and duty of care, potentially leading to a finding of professional misconduct by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario and civil liability if harm ensues.

D ) The hospital where Dr. Chen practices is solely liable for any adverse outcomes, as they are responsible for the resident's supervision and workload.

E ) Ms. Reed must prove direct harm resulted from this specific omission to pursue any legal action against Dr. Chen.

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