Abstract
Virtually all dermatologists are at some point confronted with the dilemma of whether to offer unsolicited dermatologic advice, diagnosis, or opinions when confronted with a worrisome rash or skin lesion. While offering such advice is an act of beneficence, dermatologists do not have an absolute moral obligation to do so. The degree to which the physician is morally obligated to act is affected by the seriousness and urgency of the risk to the individual, the degree of certainty of the diagnosis, and the presumption that the stranger would want the physician’s opinion or intervention. This chapter explores the benefits and risks of offering unsolicited dermatologic advice, the legal aspects, as well as how to do it.
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*Acknowledgments
The author wishes to acknowledge the advice and counsel of George E. Wakeman, Jr., Boston, MA regarding the legal aspects of unsolicited medical advice. I am indebted to Manly Rubin, MD for case scenario 1.
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© 2012 Springer-Verlag London Limited
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Bercovitch, L. (2012). “Excuse Me…”: Unsolicited Dermatologic Opinions: Ethical, Moral, and Legal Issues. In: Bercovitch, L., Perlis, C. (eds) Dermatoethics. Springer, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4471-2191-6_1
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4471-2191-6_1
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