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Katherine C. Pearson, Editor, and a Member of the Law Professor Blogs Network on LexBlog.com

New Ethical Guidelines for Physicians in Working with Patients and Family Caregivers

New Ethical Guidelines for Physicians in Working withPatients and Family Caregivers

On January 12, 2010,the American College of Physicians (ACP) issued aposition paper to guide ethical relationships among patients, physicians andfamily caregivers.  The paper outlinesfour primary principles for physicians, who may face ethical challengescollaborating with patients and caregivers while preserving the primacy of the patient-physicianrelationship.  One of those principles isfor physicians to recognize the valuable role caregivers play in providingcontinuity of care.  The paper wasoriginally published in the Journal ofGeneral Internal Medicine (January 11, 2010). To read Family Caregivers, Patients and Physicians: Ethical Guidance toOptimize Relationships, visit:

American College of Physicians