Ethics of treating family members

Abstract

Physicians complete their training and licensing to be able to treat patients within their specialty. But, could treating one's own family members be fraught with unintended complications and harm? It is important that physicians provide their patients autonomy, provide beneficence to each and to do no harm. However, these may be compromised by a physician-patient relationship. This chapter examines the ethical issues surrounding the treatment of family members and serves to help understand the conflicts and compromise that may occur when treating a family member through several case scenarios.