BANGALORE: A man tells a doctor he is HIV positive and requests him not to disclose it to his wife sitting outside the consulting room. What should the doctor do?

This is the dilemma most doctors face everyday.

Dr Lakshman K, a consultant surgeon, said "A doctor is allowed to breach confidentiality only when a patient is about to cause harm to himself, to another individual or to the community.”

In situations like this, the doctor has to convince the patient before disclosing the grim truth to his wife and counselling her if she happens to break down, Dr Lakshman said.

He was addressing medical students on the 'Ethical dilemmas in clinical practice' at a symposium held by Kempegowda Institute of Medical Sciences here on Tuesday.

Speaking on the `Efforts of Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences (RGUHS) in introducing ethics in curriculum’, Dr DK Srinivas, former director in curriculum development at RGUHS, said teaching of ethical aspects of medical practice would promote development of scientific temper of mind in doctors.

He said RGUHS was the first university to start teaching ethical aspect as a part of the curriculum. It was prepared by a panel of experts from Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), NGOs, professors from different medical colleges and transplant specialists.

Dr Chikkananjappa, president of Karnataka Medical Council, said a doctor should uphold the dignity and honour of his profession with the prime objective of rendering service to humanity. Rewards and financial gains should not be the main objectives, he said. 

Source: DNA