Legal, Ethical and… (Professional Behaviours) — Patient | Communication & Professionalism | MCCQE1 Q#13539
MCCQE1 Question #13539
Dimension of Care
Health Promotion & Illness Prevention
Activity
Professional Behaviours
Objective
Legal, Ethical and Organizational Aspects
Section
Public Health / Ethics / Legal / Organizational (PHELO/PMCH)
Subject
Communication & Professionalism
Last updated: February 2026
You are a staff physician on a hospital department’s quality and professionalism committee. As part of routine peer evaluation, multiple colleagues have documented concerns about one physician’s practice over the past 3 months, including recurring late responses to urgent pages, dismissive communication with nurses, and incomplete documentation that has contributed to near-miss medication errors. No single incident has yet resulted in documented patient harm. Several physicians tell you they are uncomfortable addressing the physician directly because they worry it will be “confrontational” and damage working relationships.
What is the most appropriate next step to uphold professional standards and protect patient safety?
Full answer analysis and choices are available inside the practice session.
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