Question

Identify the examples as ethical behavior, unethical behavior, or conflicts of interest.

Reuben is a doctor who gives better treatment and care to patients who bribe him with money. If a patient does not give Reuben extra pay, he does not spend as much time with the patient during the appointment.


Phoebe is a doctor whose patients are all relatively healthy. This poses a problem for Phoebe, since she really only makes money when her patients are sick. She wonders whether she should tell her last patient that he needs more treatment just to make sure she schedules more patient appointments next week.


Itsuo is a doctor who is being pressured by a pharmaceutical company to write prescriptions for a new drug. However, Itsuo does not have any patients that would benefit from the drug so he does not write any prescriptions.

Answer 1

1. Reuben — Unethical behavior (and a clear conflict of interest).
- Prioritizing care in exchange for bribes violates professional duties, harms patients, and represents a corrupt self‑interest influencing medical judgment.

2. Phoebe — Conflict of interest / potential unethical behavior.
- Her financial incentive creates a conflict of interest; if she tells the patient they need unnecessary treatment to increase revenue it would be unethical (and possibly illegal).

3. Itsuo — Ethical behavior.
- He resists inappropriate pressure from a pharmaceutical company and prescribes only when clinically indicated, demonstrating professional integrity.