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. 2010 Mar;25(3):255-60.
doi: 10.1007/s11606-009-1206-3.

Family caregivers, patients and physicians: ethical guidance to optimize relationships

Sheryl Mitnick  1 , Cathy Leffler, Virginia L Hood; American College of Physicians Ethics, Professionalism and Human Rights Committee
Affiliations

Family caregivers, patients and physicians: ethical guidance to optimize relationships

Sheryl Mitnick et al. J Gen Intern Med. 2010 Mar.

Abstract

Family caregivers play a major role in maximizing the health and quality of life of more than 30 million individuals with acute and chronic illness. Patients depend on family caregivers for assistance with daily activities, managing complex care, navigating the health care system, and communicating with health care professionals. Physical, emotional and financial stress may increase caregiver vulnerability to injury and illness. Geographically distant family caregivers and health professionals in the role of family caregivers may suffer additional burdens. Physician recognition of the value of the caregiver role may contribute to a positive caregiving experience and decrease rates of patient hospitalization and institutionalization. However, physicians may face ethical challenges in partnering with patients and family caregivers while preserving the primacy of the patient-physician relationship. The American College of Physicians in conjunction with ten other professional societies offers ethical guidance to physicians in developing mutually supportive patient-physician-caregiver relationships.

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Comment in

  • Family caregivers, patients, and physicians.
    Wolff JL, Roter DL. Wolff JL, et al. J Gen Intern Med. 2010 Jun;25(6):487; author reply 488. doi: 10.1007/s11606-010-1314-0. J Gen Intern Med. 2010. PMID: 20300874 Free PMC article. No abstract available.

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