What is considered a breach of fiduciary duty in healthcare?

A breach of fiduciary duty in healthcare occurs when a healthcare professional fails to act in the best interests of their patient, typically prioritizing their own interests instead. This fiduciary relationship means that the healthcare provider is expected to place the needs of the patient above their own, ensuring that patient welfare is the primary concern in all interactions and decisions.

When a healthcare provider prioritizes their personal gain over the patient's needs, this constitutes a breach of trust and responsibility. Such actions can lead to unethical behavior that may harm the patient, undermine the integrity of the provider, and result in legal consequences. Unlike acting in the patient’s best interests or ensuring adequate care, which are obligations of the healthcare provider, acting in one's own interest directly conflicts with the ethical obligations inherent in the fiduciary duty owed to patients. Similarly, while maintaining confidentiality is a critical aspect of patient care, it does not address the breach of prioritizing self-interest over patient welfare.