Introduction
Objectives
Readings
Test

Introduction

Managed care raises a wide range of ethical issues. In this unit, you will explore three case studies that involve the types of ethical issues you will confront as a physican.

Each case study will focus on one or more of the following relationships:

1. Physician-Patient Relationships

2. Physician-Physician Relationships

3. Physician-Health Care Organization Relationships

4. Physician-Society Relationships

In fact, while one primary dynamic or relationship will be emphasized in each case study, at least some of the remaining three dynamics or relationships will also come into play. Thus, the first case study included in this unit, which focuses on which medical tests need to be run on a child, is looked at primarily in terms of 1. Physician-Patient Relationships; then, on a secondary level, in terms of 2. Physician-Physician Relationships; 3. Physician-Health Care Organization Relationships; and finally 4. Physician-Society Relationships.

Before proceeding to the three case studies, click on each the four relationships listed above. When you do, you will be provided with different perspectives on these relationships--those of patients, physicians and health care managers. We want to get your reponses to these opinions, which you will post on the UME-21 Ethics Roundtable.

Before proceeding to the three case studies, click on each the four relationships listed above. When you do, you will be provided with different perspectives on these relationships--those of patients, physicians and health care managers. We want to get your reponses to these opinions, which you will post on the UME-21 Ethics Roundtable.

Dr. Kenneth Goodman E-mail

Each case study is designed to allow you to view its issues from multiple perspectives, as well as to engage in an ongoing dialogue with UME-21’s ethics consultant, Dr. Kenneth Goodman. You can link to Dr. Goodman as part of a public, threaded discussion by clicking here, or you can consult with him privately via e-mail about the cases included in this unit, or about issues involving medical ethics you may be encountering in other courses or in your clinical work.

Objectives for Unit 2: Ethical Issues in Managed Care

By the end of this unit, you will:

1. Be better able to recognize key ethical issues and conflicts raised by managed care.

2. Have a better grasp of physician’s obligations to patients, colleagues, health care organizations, and society.

Required and Supplementary Reading for Unit 2: Ethical Issues in Managed Care

This module incorporates a number of required readings. Some questions on the  test for this unit will be drawn from these readings. Click on the stack of  books and journals.

Required readings for this unit. Supplementary readings for this unit.

Test for Unit 2: Ethical Issues in Managed Care

When you finish the three case studies, proceed to the test in order to  complete your work for the Ethics Unit.

Link to the test for this unit.