CPE CPE Ethics in Healthcare Leadership

Question 1

A physician executive on the hospital board is also a part-owner of an imaging center that the hospital is considering contracting with. What is the FIRST required action?

Accepted Answer

Disclose the conflict of interest and recuse from the decision

Answer

Negotiate the best contract terms for the hospital

Answer

Vote in favor since physician ownership is legal under Stark Law exceptions

Answer

Resign from the board immediately

Question 2

Which bioethical principle requires physician executives to ensure organizational policies do not harm patients through cost-cutting measures?

Accepted Answer

Nonmaleficence

Answer

Autonomy

Answer

Justice

Answer

Beneficence

Question 3

When a physician executive is pressured by the CEO to suppress a quality improvement report showing high complication rates, the ethical obligation is to:

Accepted Answer

Ensure transparent disclosure to the board and relevant oversight bodies

Answer

Comply to maintain organizational loyalty

Answer

Delay release until rates improve

Answer

Share only with the implicated department privately

Question 4

The ethical principle of justice, as applied by a physician executive in resource allocation, BEST means:

Accepted Answer

Distributing healthcare resources fairly with attention to equity and need

Answer

Giving all patients identical treatment regardless of clinical need

Answer

Prioritizing profitable service lines over unprofitable ones

Answer

Ensuring legal compliance in all contracting decisions

Question 5

A physician executive learns that a colleague is impaired by substance use and still practicing clinically. What is the MOST ethically appropriate response?

Accepted Answer

Report the concern through the appropriate peer review or physician health program process

Answer

Speak privately with the colleague and hope they self-report

Answer

Avoid involvement since it's not in the executive's clinical jurisdiction

Answer

Wait for a sentinel event before taking action

Question 6

Which American College of Physician Executives (ACPE) core competency domain specifically addresses the ethical obligations of the physician executive role?

Accepted Answer

Professionalism and ethics

Answer

Financial performance management

Answer

Clinical quality metrics

Answer

Regulatory compliance reporting