Is this ethical? When the caregiver doesn't approve.

[Cleita]

I work for a doctor who specializes in pain management, which includes medical cannabis. I just got a call from a man who wants to get off some of the pain killers he's on and wants medical cannabis. He can't drive himself to the doctor and can't get his caregiver to drive him because she doesn't approve. Question. Is it any of her business why he goes to the doctor and since she is being paid by the state. does she have a right to refuse?

[JuniperLea]

1. That doesn't sound ethical at all to me

She doesn't have the right to interfere in his care at all. She has zero right to second guess his doctor.

This may be new ground, but surely there are similar cases from which to draw information.

[Delphinus]

5. Agreed, but it brings up another question:

don't the insurance companies second guess doctors all the time?

[Warpy]

9. It's just as illegal for them, but they'd argue

they're only discussing reimbursement issues, not delivery of care.

Slick, aren't they?

[JuniperLea]

10. They're special:)

Yep... that's all part of the RW Hypocrisy Machine, too. GAWD forbid the gubmint might interfere with the rights they already gave to the insurance INDUSTRY to do that!

[rd_kent]

2. Get another caregiver.......

No need to employ wingnuts....

[rucky]

3. Sounds like something for the courts to determine.

Similar to the cases of pHARMacists refusing to fill birth control. I'd raise a serious stink about this. And I certainly wouldn't want to piss off a chronic pain sufferer.

[Cleita]

4. That's exactly what it's like. It seems these people have no right to be

moral judges. They should just do their job.

[Lars39]

6. That's Senior abuse.

The caregiver needs to be reported. The county or city or state she lives in probably has a Senior abuse hotline that you can call.

[Swamp Rat]

7. Unethical

.

[Warpy]

8. No, she is being unethical

and needs to be fired in favor of another caregiver.

It's really none of her business which drugs he uses to ease his pain.

I just hope his doctor has a long talk with him about tapering any narcotics or benzos slowly.

[Gman2]

11. It is simple, she is a coward, afraid of some malpractice suit. Or jail.

And she isnt stupid. You very well could become the posterchild for the latest war on citizens.

[demmiblue]

12. The man needs to contact the agency that employs the caregiver.

The caregiver may not be constrained by ethics laws if the caregiver is not bound by practice acts (i.e. someone who has no licensing). However, I would imagine that the agency would have something to say about this situation. Bottom line, he needs a caregiver that supports his well-being! Perhaps your office can help this man in maneuvering the system if he does not get a good outcome from his own attempts to resolve the situation.

P.S. I hope she is fired for her immoral acts. Pain management is no joke!