I think it is safe to say that most family physicians have received gifts from patients, even if it was only a box of chocolates, an apple pie, or a bottle of wine. Although only 20% of physicians say they have received gifts,1 it would not surprise me if the opposite were true. Indeed, it is unusual for a family physician not to have accepted gifts of some kind. In fact, several codes of ethics allow physicians to accept expressions of gratitude in the form of modest, reasonably priced gifts. But what constitutes a modest, reasonably priced gift? For some, accepting a sugar pie is harmless and simply attests to a patient's gratitude. Then what about a bottle of wine, tickets to a football game, or an invitation to go on a cruise? Obviously, it depends on the bottle, the tickets, and the cruise.
展开▼
