(AMA Journal of Ethics) – Clinical expectations for treating patients who are incarcerated present many ethical questions that have potential to influence a physician’s ability to provide care. From the moment patients present, they face potential for bias due to the impossibility of concealing their incarceration or other factors. For example, when a patient is incarcerated, a representative of the carceral system, such as a corrections officer, is present during patient-physician encounters or posted outside of the patient’s door. Such patients, when treated in community health centers, will also often be shackled for reasons beyond what is medically indicated. Further contributing to potential for bias is, in some cases, inquiry about reasons a patient is incarcerated. (Read More)