Reflection

A number of physicians are recruited to participate in a large scale, multi center to investigate the survival rates of breast cancer victims who are being treated with a new drug. Strict rules are developed regarding inclusion of patients in the study. Only those who have had surgery within the last three months can be included. Dr. Smith has a patient who hears about the study and wants very much to participate. Because Dr. Smith thinks that the drug could really help this patient, he agrees to include her even though her surgery took place six months ago. Dr. Smith changes the date on her charts to conform with the study requirements, and reasons that this one little change shouldn’t affect the study results. What do you think about Dr. Smith’s conduct, and what is your ethical leader response to his decisions?