KevinMD January 1, 2026
Early in medical school, a professor warned us: “Never prescribe for someone who isn’t your patient.” He shared a story of writing a simple antibiotic for a friend who later developed Stevens-Johnson syndrome, a devastating outcome that haunted him long after. His message was clear: There is a bright line between caring and causing harm.
Fifteen years out, we now understand just how blurry that line really is.
“First, do no harm” sounds straightforward until you become the physician everyone knows. Friends send photos of rashes. A neighbor casually asks you to fill out a form “just this once.” A bank teller lifts a pant leg to show you a concerning ulcer after noticing your hospital badge. Sometimes the requests...
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