Taking Care of Uncle Bob’s Rash: Should One Treat Family Members?

Should physicians treat their family members? In general, physicians should not treat themselves or family members because of the loss of professional objectivity. In addition the physician may not be qualified to treat the relative’s condition, may be to close to do a complete examination or probe for intimate historical details or disclose bad news. Physician involvement can create intrafamilial conflict or create an awkward situation if the relative is either non-compliant or dissatisfied with the care delivered. But, despite these potential risks, many physicians do and will continue to do so. This chapter discusses the opinions, questions and evaluation of risks and hazards in treating family members through case scenarios.