Published
I would use my intuition and sense of proper boundaries.
I took care of a family from my father-in-law's small town. I brieflly mentioned the connection when they told me where they were from. I didn't take it any further than that.
A distressed family facing a new crisis does not need that information, a "problem" family such as the one the OP describes needs to know as little about you as possible.
guest64485
722 Posts
So I had a patient the other day, sweet old man, who, by his unusual last name, likely was related to me (not an immediate relative, but semi-removed). I saw his name on the paperwork before I went to see him and planned on asking him if he knew some of my relatives. However, when I went in the room, his daughter was there, and was the type who writes everything down like she's ready in case she needs to sue you, with such a poor/snapping/everyone-is-out-to-get-you attitude, I decided against it.
I was wondering what other people have done if they have encountered a patient who may potentially be related to them - do you ask the patients about it? What are the pros and cons of doing so?