Challenges of Treating Patients Who Are Also Physicians and How to Overcome Them

Richard Quinn is a freelance writer in New Jersey.

Best Practices

Debashish Debnath, MD, an oncoplastic breast surgery fellow at Wythenshawe Hospital in Manchester, U.K., provides a useful list of best practices when treating physician colleagues in his published article, “The Dilemma of Treating a Doctor-Patient: A Wrestle of Heart Over Mind?” (Ochsner J. 2015;15:130-132):

  • Take a history and perform a thorough examination (as you would for any other patient).
  • Deal with the physician-patient’s anxiety directly.
  • Clarify the doctor/patient relationship as early as possible.
  • Avoid overly close identification with a physician-patient because of empathy or sympathy.
  • Discuss the treatment management plan in detail.
  • Leave plenty of time for a clear discussion of opinions and recommendations.
  • Speak to the physician-patient directly. If relatives need to be spoken to separately, it should be done with the physician-patient’s consent.
  • Discuss issues of privacy, confidentiality, insurance, and payment early.
  • Maintain professional courtesy at all times.