Question: A Pilot For A Major Commercial Airline Is One Of Primary- Care Physician Dr. Burns’ Patients. The Pilot Is Struggling With Alcoholism, A Condition That Has Grown That Has Grown Worse Over The Years. Now He Is Beginning To Have Episodes Of Agitation, Disorientation, And Black- Outs, Because Of The Medical Confidentiality Rule, Dr. Burns Consults With …

A pilot for a major commercial airline is one of primary- carephysician Dr. Burns’ patients. The pilot is struggling withalcoholism, a condition that has grown that has grown worse overthe years. Now he is beginning to have episodes of agitation,disorientation, and black- outs, Because of the medicalconfidentiality rule, Dr. Burns consults with the hospital’s ethicscommittee about whether to inform the pilot’s employer. First, useutilitarian reasons to argue for and against honoring medicalconfidentiality in this case and then decide which ones, if any,should prevail. If you were a member of the ethics committee, whatguidance would you provide? (This narrative is based on an actualcase.)