Unethical behavior–especially in a doctor–is usually an indication of substance addiction
A journalist asks what to do if a doctor, who works in a small practice, learns that his partner or boss is engaging in unethical activities related to the practice. What are the signs that the doctor is engaging in unethical activities? What can a partner doctor do to protect himself, the practice and, if they chose to do so, the other doctor? What are the ramifications of saying nothing? About taking action?
We can either enable or we can whistle blow. I always suggest the latter in order to help both the person who is committing unethical behaviors and to protect ourselves against future misbehaviors.
These behaviors are usually rooted in alcohol or other-drug addiction. Addiction causes egomania; this results in a need to wield power over others, which takes form in abusive and unethical misbehaviors. Hence, we can protect ourselves if we can spot it beforehand.
I’m not sure what is meant in asking how to know if a behavior is actually unethical, but my books describe the risk factors that increase the likelihood of unethical behaviors. They include inconsiderate behaviors, verbal abuse, a “rules don’t apply to me” attitude, and many others discussed in my books, including “How to Spot Hidden Alcoholics”. Since these are all indications of alcoholism and alcoholics are capable of “anything” (which they admit they were when using after 10 or 15 years of sobriety), if we are willing to identify likely addiction based on behavioral clues, we can protect ourselves.
This also serves to help the addict since, as recovering addicts readily admit, pain is the addict’s best friend. Only pain from consequences serve to assist the addict into a program of recovery, without which there is usually no incentive to get clean.
So, the ramifications of not taking action include worsening behaviors; the consequences of acting include helping to get a likely addict clean and sober, which may save a life–or two, including your own.