Doctors' Gifts Unwrapped By Medical Defence Union, UK
While doctors most often received chocolates and other edibles or alcohol which 76 and 66 per cent of doctors respectively had received in the past year, some reported receiving more unusual items. These included some washing up liquid, a pair of tights, a hamster, an ashtray and replicas of the Taj Mahal.
The MDU, which indemnifies over 50 per cent of doctors and advises them on medico-legal issues, surveyed its members to see how often they had received a gift in the last year and whether certain gifts ever raised ethical dilemmas.
Dr Catherine Wills, MDU medico-legal adviser, said:
"Most doctors in our survey were given between one and five gifts in the past year, although a lucky 45, mostly GPs, received more than 15. While 96 per cent of respondents said gifts were mostly given as a show of appreciation for the care provided from patients, 41 per cent said there had been occasions, during their careers, when receiving a gift caused them ethical concerns - for example because the gift was of substantial value, such as a generous legacy.
"Accepting gifts can sometimes present ethical issues for doctors because, while accepting a gift from a patient may be perfectly appropriate, in the MDU's experience, the reason for giving can occasionally be misconstrued. Sometimes, generous gifts can provoke complaints from disgruntled family members. Doctors have an ethical duty set out by the General Medical Council to be honest and open in their financial dealings with patients and must not encourage patients to give them money, gifts or bequests.
"If in doubt, it may be necessary to look a gift horse in the mouth. Our members are advised to ask themselves if it could appear that the item has influenced their decision-making in any way and be prepared to demonstrate it has not.
"Many doctors reported returning a gift that raised concerns or discussing it with the patient, colleagues and the MDU. It is advisable to ensure the patient understands their medical care would not be affected in any way by the gift. Doctors may also want to keep a record of these conversations, any correspondence and the reasons for accepting the gift, if they did so."
Half of GPs in the survey said their practice had a register of gifts for items worth over £100, which is a contractual obligation. The rules** apply to gifts made by patients, relatives or any person who provides or wishes to provide services to the practice. This includes gifts given to GPs, their employees or locums and the spouses or same sex partners of these people.
Dr Wills continued:
"Although the regulations do not apply to gifts of less than £100, or where the gift is unconnected with the services provided by the practice, the MDU advises members to consider whether the gift should still be recorded, for example if a number of multiple smaller gifts from the same source total more than £100. This can avoid future difficulties or criticism."
Other results from the survey include:
- GPs fared best in the gift receiving stakes, with 55% of respondents working in primary care.
- Among hospital doctors, psychiatrists, surgeons, paediatricians and anaesthetists were most likely to have received a gift from a patient, each accounting for 5% of respondents.
- Male doctors were most likely to receive alcohol as a gift (80%) while female doctors most often received chocolates (85%). Only 4% of male doctors reported receiving flowers from patients although one reported receiving a bouquet from a male patient. 41% of female doctors had received flowers.
- Of the 41% of doctors who reported having ethical concerns about a gift, 40% returned it to the patient, 8% kept it after discussing it with the patient and 7% rang the MDU for advice.
Further information
- * The MDU surveyed 511 doctor members on their attitudes to receiving gifts during a two-week period in January.
- **GMS Contract Regulations 2004, part 21 paragraph 493-498 Gifts.
- Guidance for MDU members on accepting gifts is published in the latest journal for practice managers, inpractice. Copies are available to members at http://www.the-mdu.com or to journalists on request.
The MDU is a mutual, not for profit, organisation owned by our members who include over 50 per cent of the UK's hospital doctors and GPs. Established in 1885, we were the world's first medical defence organisation. We defend the professional reputations of our members when their clinical performance is called into question. Our benefits of membership include indemnity for claims of clinical negligence and a wide range of medico-legal advisory services.
http://www.the-mdu.com
Medicii "cadouri neambalate medicale de apãrare a Uniunii, Marea Britanie - Doctors' Gifts Unwrapped By Medical Defence Union, UK - articole medicale engleza - startsanatate