Forum/RPA Position on ESRD Patient Solicitation

The Forum, in cooperation with the RPA, seeks a good working environment in which physicians can competitively interact with one another without conflict, hard feelings or ill will, and in which the interests of the patient remain paramount. To that end, this statement is based on certain ground rules that have their cornerstone in medical ethics and professionalism to ensure that physician contact with patients is appropriate. This document describes the issue, highlights relevant literature on the issues of professionalism and ethics in medicine, and provides selected examples of state statutes addressing the issue. The position statement concludes with specific principles to guide professional ethics in nephrology regarding ESRD patient solicitation.