When treating a friend, which of the following is required by professional standards?

• A. They must perform a physical examination and keep a proper med record like any other patient.
• B. They can skip the exam but keep a log of visits.
• C. They must obtain consent from the hospital ethics committee.
• D. They must use a separate, informal file for relatives.

Answer: (D)

Treating a friend tests your professional boundaries and confidentiality. When a relative is a patient, standards focus on keeping personal and professional roles separate and protecting the patient’s privacy. Using a separate, informal file for relatives is described as a boundary measure to prevent personal knowledge from mixing with the formal medical record, helping maintain confidentiality and reduce conflicts of interest in dual relationships. The other options describe routine care or procedures that don’t address how to handle the dual relationship, and asking for ethics-committee consent isn’t a typical requirement in this context. In practice, many guidelines advise avoiding treating close friends if possible, and if you do, be especially diligent to maintain proper documentation and privacy.