This document provides an overview and instructions for navigating an interactive program called "The Doctor's Dilemma" which allows the user to experience ethical dilemmas faced by physicians. The program involves making decisions in 10 fictional patient cases that raise ethical medical issues. It aims to increase awareness of ethical dimensions in medical practice and explore consequences of different choices. Navigation is through a left menu, and users can access background information from patient files, consultants, and resources to inform their decisions.

4. It is impossible to practice medicine without being
influenced by one's own moral and ethical ideals.
Many of the important issues and dilemmas of
"clinical" decision-making, and difficult challenges
within the physician-patient relationship are at
core, questions of values and ethical principles.
In The Doctor's Dilemma, you will have a chance to
explore your own approach to medical ethics.

5. In the course of the program, you will take the role of Dr. Pat
Newman a family physician in an independent private
practice for about 17 years
Using this program, you will experience a typical week in Dr.
Newman's professional life, during which you will be called
upon to make decisions in ten cases that raise ethical issues
similar to those faced by many physicians in their practices.
The ethical considerations in these cases are often as important
as those dealing with diagnosis and treatment.

6. It is the goal of the program that by working through these
cases & confronting the difficult and often controversial
dilemmas they present you become more aware of the
ethical dimensions of medical practice and have the
opportunity to explore the consequences of different
choices.

7. The Doctor's Dilemma contains a considerable amount of
information about the law and legal matters. While great
care has been given to assure that information is accurate, it
is not intended, in any way, to constitute legal advice nor
should it be relied upon it as such. Nothing in this application
should be interpreted as an offer or acceptance of any of the
responsibilities incidental to an attorney-client relationship.
The characters presented in The Doctor's Dilemma (the doctors,
consultants, and patients) are fictional and any similarities to
any persons living or dead are unintended and coincidental.
Similarly, the photographs that appear throughout the
program are of people who were chosen because they
matched the physical characteristics of the role they portray.
These people do not necessarily have any of the medical or
personal problems of the characters.

8. Throughout The Doctor's Dilemma, there is a menu
bar positioned on the left side of the screen that
functions as the navigation port for the entire
program.
By selecting the various options in the menu, you
can easily move throughout the program.

9. To assist in your decision making, you will have access to useful
information through conversations with the consultants. These
individuals are people with whom you also have a personal
relationship, and you feel quite comfortable soliciting their
opinions.
They will have access to useful background information which will
help you finalize your ethical conclusions for each case.

10. Where possible, the role of law in medical ethics throughout The
Doctor's Dilemma will be based upon the applicable law in your
state. Choose your state on the map to view the state specific
information.
If information for a particular state is not available, information from
the state of Georgia can be used as an example. You should be
aware that laws may vary significantly among different
jurisdictions.

12. Once you have selected the "Get Started" option from the
introductory menu, a screen will appear that gives you the
option of choosing a male or female doctor role.
Select a role/gender to begin the first case.

13. Case Links represent the steps that should be followed within
each case.
The Schedule presents your complete daily schedule of
patients and/or appointments, and tells you when you
will be meeting with the patient whose case poses the
ethical dilemma.

14. The Patient File provides you with medical and
other background information about your
patient and their condition.

15. The Patient button is the conversation or meeting
with your patient and/or their family.
Within the course of your conversation, you will
discuss the facets of the case that require ethical
and medical consideration.

17. You can hover your mouse over the middle divider line and when you
see the curser turn into a double sided arrow, you can click & drag on
that center line either all the way to the right OR all the way to the left.
This will make 1 conversation window that you can just scroll down and
read.

18. To assist in your decision making, you will have access to useful
information through conversations with the consultants. These
individuals are people with whom you also have a personal
relationship, and you feel quite comfortable soliciting their
opinions.
They will have access to useful background information which will
help you finalize your ethical conclusions for each case.

19. The transcript of the conversation you have with the consultants may
have certain words underlined and in bold.
You can click on the words and a pop-up window will appear, and the
definition, contents of additional information related to the word
will be displayed within it. When you are finished reviewing all of
the background information, close the window, and resume
activities within the case

20. The characters that you have conversations with may
suggest that you review certain documents
The Resources will provide pertinent legal and ethical
background information which will assist you in
making your final decision about each case.
To view them click on the [Resources] button and a list
of the available resource documents for this case
will appear. Choose a document you wish to view
and a pop-up window will open. The contents of
the box, each time you click on a different
document name.
When you are finished reviewing all of the background
information, close the window, and resume
activities within the case

21. Select the Decide option once you feel you have
thoroughly reviewed the information about the
case, and are ready to make your decision. This
will lead you through a series of screens that will
question the decision you have selected, and will
ultimately inform you of the consequences of
your choice.

22. Use the End Case option when you
are ready to begin the next case. If
you want to skip ahead to another
case, choose the Patient List
option under the Program Links
heading.