Part I. Recognize which statement(s) from the Code of Ethics support the principle of beneficence.

Part II. Read the scenario regarding performing a PET scan on a patient who calls your imaging center. Discuss the ethical dilemma and how the principle of beneficence pertains to the case.

Unit II Beneficence

A patient with newly diagnosed colon cancer calls your office and wants to get a PET scan before surgery. You advise her to ask her colorectal surgeon to request the study. The patient informs you that the doctor refused to order the test. Your curiosity gets to you and you call the surgeon to ask him why he didn't want to order the scan. After getting vague comments, you ask him point blank. He admits that he is afraid to order the study because it may cause a delay in the patient's surgery. This translates into "I may lose the case if we find extensive disease." You have your answer. Now what do you do? How does the principle of beneficence fit into this ethical dilemma?