Date of this Version

October 2003

Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Details

Obligation to Advise of Options of Treatment – Medical Doctors and Complementary and Alternative Medicine Practitioners (2003) 10 Journal of Law and Medicine pp. 296-307
This article is published by the ©Lawbook Co., part of Thomson Legal & Regulatory Limited.
http://www.thomson.com.au
Permission granted.

Abstract

An important aspect of health professional’s duty of care is to advise patients of the available options of treatment so that the patient can choose the form of treatment that suits her or his requirements. As CAM becomes more evidence-based and accepted, medical doctors need to consider the extent to which they should provide patients with information about those types of treatments. If a CAM treatment option is evidence-based, there is a strong argument that medical doctors should advise of this option for treatment to satisfy their duty. CAM practitioners should also provide details of options for treatment within their own modality but are not obliged to advise of medical options.


This document has been peer reviewed.