As far as law goes, where there cannot be shades of grey, you are right. It is better to err on the side of caution. In a primarily philosophical debate - which is what I am attempting to argue and your ethical codes are providing quite the challege to oppose! - there are many shades of grey. In the true reality of the situation, laws aside, there is a deeper foundation of what, philosophically, is the best choice.
That said, I wonder as to your opinion of friends treating friends in medical situations (emergencies, non-emergencies, etc.) because there could be possibility for abuse there. Yet people do it all the time. Cuddy treated House for his infarction. Wilson prescribes for House. Cameron, Chase, and Foreman handled House's immediate care when he was shot. They could have abused their power over him in those situations. Yet knowing the characters - and knowing that none, besides possibly for House, are purposefully malicious - there doesn't seem to be the likely chance. It'd be the saner, safer choice to let said character treat House in the situation then worry about crossing lines or breaking ethical codes.
It is very scary to imagine accidentally abusing someone whom one loves, but - c'est la vie, oui? It happens. It'd be horrible, yes, but that does not necessarily equate to morally or ethically wrong. There are degrees - just like their are degrees of murder.
The ethical code is there to force lawyers to err on the side of caution, not doctors, in order not to need to judge case-by-case. The interpersonal relationship involved is not mentioned. That is not the intent of the ethics code. It is to cover the hospital/university/etc.'s ass should a lawsuit arise.
I personally like that Wilson has bad judgment. It makes him human; it makes him complex. He draws a nice counterpoint for House as to who is more fucked up. I quite enjoy it. I suppose we differ there, as everywhere.
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timeasmymeasure
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Date: 2007-03-30 03:38 am (UTC)That said, I wonder as to your opinion of friends treating friends in medical situations (emergencies, non-emergencies, etc.) because there could be possibility for abuse there. Yet people do it all the time. Cuddy treated House for his infarction. Wilson prescribes for House. Cameron, Chase, and Foreman handled House's immediate care when he was shot. They could have abused their power over him in those situations. Yet knowing the characters - and knowing that none, besides possibly for House, are purposefully malicious - there doesn't seem to be the likely chance. It'd be the saner, safer choice to let said character treat House in the situation then worry about crossing lines or breaking ethical codes.
It is very scary to imagine accidentally abusing someone whom one loves, but - c'est la vie, oui? It happens. It'd be horrible, yes, but that does not necessarily equate to morally or ethically wrong. There are degrees - just like their are degrees of murder.
The ethical code is there to force lawyers to err on the side of caution, not doctors, in order not to need to judge case-by-case. The interpersonal relationship involved is not mentioned. That is not the intent of the ethics code. It is to cover the hospital/university/etc.'s ass should a lawsuit arise.
I personally like that Wilson has bad judgment. It makes him human; it makes him complex. He draws a nice counterpoint for House as to who is more fucked up. I quite enjoy it. I suppose we differ there, as everywhere.