Doctors - Did Sen. Frist violate any ethics rules??

[Bleacher Creature]

I know nothing about state medical rules -- particularly in Tennessee -- but shouldn't it be some sort of violation to render a diagnosis of another physician's patient using only a video clip? As a Senator, it might be good politics, but as a doctor, can't he be referred to the state board??

[sui generis]

1. no, just a few malpractice rules. I'd pull his insurance if I carried it.

Anyone who would make an idiotic diagnosis like that is a HUGE insurance risk for malpractice.

[BlueEyedSon]

2. Only the Hippocratic Oath!

[Kagemusha]

3. I would've thought they could get him for disrepute of medicine.

I mean, not so much that it's wrong to make a diagnosis like that quack board-certified neurologist who says without any bleeping tests that Terri is not a vegetable. THAT is a problem. Directly contradicting doctors with science to back them up... well in both cases, it brings medicine into disrepute.

With lawyers, if you bring the legal system into disrepute through your actions, your license can be pulled. Not sure how it is with doctors, but it's not good.

And most certainly the neurologist who backed Frist up might be staring at malpractice since a request to place Shiavo under protective custody of the state was based on his quackery.

[drbtg1]

4. not very likely

Frist's observation was not used in the course of treatment. And even if it was, it would be hard to argue Frist caused any condition to worsen, medically speaking.

The AMA may have an ethics law or two that may address Frist's action, but I wouldn't expect anything from that

It does make me wonder about what kind of medical treatment Frist has subjected other patients to. A good point about insurance though by sui generis. Based on Frist's lack of medical acumen, I'd want to re-examine his coverage if I was his malpractice insurance company.

No wonder Frist & Co. want tort reform.