If a patient wants a colonoscopy done, and it’s not medically indicated, should the doctor still do it? If the physician complies with this request, has he or she committed an ethical breach? Should the medical board or some other disciplinary agency be notified to investigate? Of course, in a perfect world every medical procedure or prescription would be advised only if it is medically indicated. But the world is not perfect and there are instances when good physicians may deviate from established medical dogma. We Inhabit an Imperfect World Consider these examples and whether you think that a disciplinary response is appropriate. A patient is due for his next screening colonoscopy in 2 years, which would be 10 years since his last exam. He approaches his doctor with anxiety because his coworker was just diagnosed with colon cancer. He asks that a colonoscopy be scheduled now. The doctor agrees. A patient wants his colonoscopy performed in December, after his deducti
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