There's a lot of controversy surrounding mandatory childhood vaccinations. While the majority of people -- including most medical professionals -- believe that immunizations are important, there is a highly vocal minority of "anti-vaxxers" that believe that...
Can a doctor date a former patient?
As a doctor, you know that a romantic relationship with a current patient is absolutely off-limits -- but what about former patients? Is it really a breach of ethics if there's no current physician-patient relationship?According to the American Medical Association...
California’s medical ‘witch hunt’ leaves doctors in fear
Imagine this: You're a doctor with a thriving practice and you would never, ever pass out painkillers to a patient without a good reason. You have a solid reputation as a compassionate physician, however, so patients in pain have sought you out -- hoping for relief....
How do you avoid fee disputes with your clients?
What do you do about a disgruntled client who doesn't want to pay the legal bill he or she has racked up?Tread carefully. Rightly or wrongly, a fee dispute can open the doorway to a complaint about your professionalism or allegations of malpractice. Once the state bar...
Legal marijuana and your medical license
Here's a question that may or may not be haunting you: Now that recreational marijuana is as legal as alcohol in California, can you smoke it and keep your medical license?Luckily for you, the California Medical Board has been pretty clear about the issue. Physicians...
Can you advertise your legal services to recent arrestees?
Every attorney needs clients in order to succeed in his or her profession, but exactly how you go about getting those clients can be problematic. You don't want to run afoul of the rules that govern how you can ethically approach potential clients.A lot of injury...
Ethics in advertising for legal clients: What to keep in mind
No matter what business you are in, advertising is important -- and the law is no exception. Even big firms advertise. If you're practicing on your own, however, advertising for clients is probably essential to your survival. There's a lot of competition for business...
Bar clears Michael Avenatti of allegations
Michael Avenatti, the attorney famous for representing Stormy Daniels, has survived a challenge to his legal license over supposedly unethical and fraudulent behavior. The California Bar has finished its investigation and determined that no further action is...
Doctors let their mental health slide over licensing fears
No one should have to choose between staying employed and seeking help for depression -- but a lot of physicians feel like that's exactly the choice they have to make.A rash of suicides among physicians and several recent studies have people taking a hard look at...
Charting mistakes that could cost your nursing license
When you're still in nursing school, everything about the job seems neat and orderly -- and there isn't much real-world experience when it comes to one hugely important aspect of the job: charting.Taking patient information down correctly is essential to avoid serious...