Drug-abusing patients - Can I refuse to treat them?
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Date
2013
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
ALLSA
Abstract
In the past few months, there have been increasing
numbers of drug-abusing patients attending my practice.
More recently, an anorexic, very agitated and nervous
20-year-old presented at my consulting rooms requesting
medication for pain. He reported using methamphetamine
(‘tik’) for the better part of 5 years. When he was refused
pain medication he became aggressive and violent towards
staff members. What are my ethical obligations, and can I
refuse to treat patients who abuse drugs?
Description
Keywords
Drug abuse, Patients, Treatment
Citation
Naidoo, S. (2013) Drug-abusing patients - Can I refuse to treat them?. Current Allergy & Clinical immunology, 26 (4)