Ethics Vignette XVI: Bad Patient Experience vs. Good Patient Experience illustrates the importance of maintaining good work ethics, displaying characteristics of integrity, and treating patients with compassion, respect and dignity. Vignette XVI also analyzes ethical obligations involved in treating patients with respect, including informed consent, disclosure of accurate and truthful information, and acknowledgement of a patient’s right to refuse medical interventions. The intended audience is technologists; the vignette is also relevant to physicians. AANEM ethical vignettes utilize true clinical scenarios to highlight common ethical situations confronted by neuromuscular physicians and technologists. Specific application of AANEM's Ethical Guidelines are discussed throughout each vignette. This vignette references Ethical Guidelines' section Technologists in the Electrodiagnostic Laboratory.

EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES: Upon completion of this educational activity, participants will (1) Practice better work ethics, displaying characteristics of integrity, treating patients with compassion, respect, and dignity; (2) Perform electrodiagnostic testing with increased patience and empathy, understanding that each patient is unique and will react differently to each procedure; (3) Seek to gain patients’ trust and focus on their individual needs in order to make them feel comfortable and make them feel like they are a number one priority; (4) Understand that treating patients with respect entails several ethical obligations, including informed consent, disclosure of accurate and truthful information that will guide patients through a shared decision making process, and acknowledgement of a patient’s right to refuse medical interventions; (5) Understand that respect for patients requires physicians and technologists to avoid misrepresentation, maintain confidentiality, and keep promises; (6) and promote continuing education, certification, registry and lab accreditation in the field of electrodiagnostic medicine, understanding how these contribute to improvements in quality patient care.

ACCREDITATION STATEMENT
The AANEM is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

CREDIT DESIGNATION
The AANEM designates this enduring material for a maximum of 1 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits ^TM. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity. 

DISCLOSURE INFORMATION
No one involved in the planning of this CME activity had any relevant financial relationships to disclose. Authors/Faculty had nothing to disclose.

FORMAT: PDF

Mary E. Franklin, CNCT, R. EEG T. and David A. Simpson, DO, MS