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Community versus individual benefit
Tobin, Bernadette Leeder, Stephen Somerville, Ernest
Tobin, Bernadette
Leeder, Stephen
Somerville, Ernest
Abstract
Australian law embodies a “communitarian” conception of the doctor's responsibility to respect the confidentiality of the doctor–patient relationship.
This implies that respect for confidentiality sits alongside two other responsibilities: proper care for the patient's general wellbeing and proper attention to the safety of the community.
Most jurisdictions now require drivers to advise their local driver‐licensing authority of any permanent or long‐term injury or illness that affects their ability to drive safely.
Some jurisdictions require doctors to inform the driver‐licensing authority about patients whose medical condition may impair their driving to the extent that they are likely to endanger the public.
If you can not persuade a patient to inform the driver‐ licensing authority of the need for an assessment of his or her ability to drive safely, then you should inform the relevant authorities yourself.
Keywords
Ethics and law
Date
2002
Type
Journal article
Journal
Medical Journal of Australia
Book
Volume
176
Issue
Page Range
279-280
Article Number
ACU Department
Plunkett Centre for Ethics
Faculty of Theology and Philosophy
Faculty of Theology and Philosophy
Collections
Relation URI
Source URL
Event URL
Open Access Status
License
File Access
Controlled