A Therapeutic Conundrum: Should a Physician Serve Simultaneously as Caregiver and Researcher?

The article examines the ethical challenges of physicians performing simultaneously the dual roles of a caregiver and as a researcher. Particular focus is given on the case of a 70-year-old woman with advanced cancer and facing the dilemma of whether to undergo a risky surgery while becoming a participant in clinical research. It suggests that the consent process and enrollment of a patient be structured to assure patient's and surgeon's best interests.