The Physician as a Double Agent

Abstract

Ideal medical care depends to an important degree on the physician's being an advocate of the patient.^{1 , 2} In fact, however, we physicians have long been double agents, serving other interests as well; and now, as medical-care rationing begins, we face the unpleasant prospect of representing the conflicting interests of the patient and society. How should we respond?In conventional practice, to cite a few examples, the physician may be forced to wear two hats and be thrown into mild ethical conflict when requested by an insurance company to judge the ability of one of his elderly patients to drive an . . .