How can a doctor ensure they provide unbiased care to a family member?

Providing unbiased care to a family member is essential for maintaining professional integrity and delivering the best possible medical care. Performing a standard clinical assessment like any other patient is the correct approach because it ensures that the care provided is based on objective medical principles rather than personal biases or emotional considerations. This method involves collecting a thorough medical history, conducting appropriate physical examinations, and discussing treatment options based on clinical evidence, much like the process used for any other patient.

By engaging in a standard clinical assessment, the doctor remains focused on the medical needs and health conditions, thereby mitigating the potential for bias that may arise from their personal relationship with the family member. This practice not only upholds ethical standards but also fosters trust in the doctor-patient relationship, as the family member can feel confident that they are receiving high-quality, unbiased care.

Other methods proposed, such as excluding the family member from their patient list, may avoid conflicts of interest, but they don't address the provision of care directly. Focusing solely on the relationship or relying on personal knowledge instead of standardized assessment could compromise the quality of care and lead to favoritism, thus undermining the objectivity necessary in medical practice.