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Patients generally are oblivious to -- or ignore -- the fact that medical ethics attempt to regulate gift-giving to physicians and other health professionals. Gratitude is one thing, quid pro quo is another.
A wealthy South Florida attorney tuned out the rules because he felt that a nurse provided him with extraordinary care while he was recuperating from a major operation. He offered and the nurse accepted a cruise for two to the Caribbean. The attorney asked that his name be withheld.
This situation is reminiscent of a scene in the 1991 movie "Grand Canyon" in which actor Steve Martin plays a movie producer accustomed to having his way. He's shot in the leg and heroic doctors and nurses save his limb. He was grateful for the care he received. As he and his retinue are leaving the hospital, he thanks the nurse, says she likely doesn't make much money and offers her a large wad of cash. She declines the offer and says she was only doing her job. When she isn't looking, he deposits the cash in a pocket in her scrubs.
A grateful Chicago attorney, who asked that his name be withheld, gave an antique watch from his collection to a surgeon who he felt had given him a life-changing procedure. He wanted to reciprocate.
"I was so pleased to no longer need a CPAP and to end the constant sinus infections that I was suffering from, I felt the need to show my gratitude to the doctor for being willing to authorize and perform the surgery, even though it was not necessarily recommended for my condition," he said. "I was told that a gift was not necessary, but it wasn't refused. I don't see how a small token of appreciation can hurt. Sometimes, mere thanks is not enough for service above and beyond the call of duty."
Most of the time, though, gifts are small and in bounds -- like boxes of candy, flowers, or fruits and vegetables from the garden.
Regine Schlesinger, a retired radio reporter and anchor for WBBM, Chicago's news radio station, said that during the holiday season her late mother brought two boxes of candy to each of her doctors' offices -- one for the doctor and one for the staff to share. "She was a gracious and classy lady," said Schlesinger.
Lisa Compton Stilts, a suburban Chicago librarian, said after her daughters were born she sprung for pizza for the obstetrical staff and "gave my doctor a nice bottle of wine (because we had discussed wines he enjoyed) and a note of appreciation. We had excellent care and felt it should be acknowledged."
Therese Marie Johnston, a city employee in Cheyenne, Wyoming, likes to bring baked goods to her doctors occasionally. "But I prefer to bring them a veggie tray. They get a ton of junk food."
Other patients forgo physician gifts altogether.
Cynthia Linton, a Chicago environmental activist, said gift-giving to medics has never occurred to her. She said, "Doctors make good money and they don't rely on gifts, tips. Genuine thank-you's for special service probably mean more. And I'm against giving candy because it's not good for you."
Special education teacher Kathy Curtin Parker, from Michigan City, Indiana, said, "Professionally, gifts go to subordinates. I gave written notes of gratitude to two orthos for changing my life with a laminectomy and knee replacement."
Lynda Gorov, a Los Angeles writer and editor, was embarrassed that it never occurred to show her gratitude to the medical professionals she has seen. "I always wonder why I tip the person who just pours my black coffee at the counter but not the person who gets a perfect blood draw the first time," she said.