Ethics, Professionalism, Physician Employment and Health Care Business Practices

ACP Ethics and Professionalism

In a constantly changing practice environment, fundamental ethical principles that guide physicians – beneficence (putting patient interest first), non-maleficence (do no harm), respect for patient autonomy, and justice – should also be applied to decision-making about business practices.  This ethics case study explores the ethical obligation of the physician to put patient welfare over self-interest while navigating, the realities of business practices, employment terms, and contracts.

First, read the case study. After reading, ACP members can take the CME/MOC survey for free.

CME/MOC:

Up to 1 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits ™ and MOC Points
Expires June 12, 2026   active

Cost:

Free

Format:

Journal Articles

Product:

ACP Ethics and Professionalism

ACP is devoted to policy development and implementation on issues related to medical ethics and professionalism, and is a resource for ACP members and the public.

Contributors
Matthew DeCamp, MD, PhD – Author, Case History
Lois Snyder Sulmasy, JD - Author, Case History
Matthew DeCamp, MD, PhD – Author, Commentary
Lois Snyder Sulmasy, JD – Author, Commentary

Editor
Lois Snyder Sulmasy, JD

Those named above, unless otherwise indicated, have no relevant financial relationships to disclose with ineligible companies whose primary business is producing, marketing, selling, re-selling, or distributing healthcare products used by or on patients.  All relevant relationships have been mitigated.

Release Date:  June 13, 2023

Termination Date: June 12, 2026

CME Credit

The American College of Physicians is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

The American College of Physicians designates this enduring material for 1 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™.  Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

ABIM Maintenance of Certification (MOC) Points

Successful completion of this CME activity, which includes participation in the evaluation component, enables the participant to earn up to 1 medical knowledge MOC Point in the American Board of Internal Medicine’s (ABIM) Maintenance of Certification (MOC) program.  Participants will earn MOC points equivalent to the amount of CME credits claimed for the activity. It is the CME activity provider’s responsibility to submit participant completion information to ACCME for the purpose of granting ABIM MOC credit.

How to Claim CME Credit and MOC Points

After reading the article, complete a brief survey and multiple-choice question quiz. To claim CME credit and MOC points you must achieve a minimum passing score of 66%. You may take the quiz multiple times to achieve a passing score.