When Physicians Treat Their Own Families

To the Editor: One issue barely considered by La Puma et al. (Oct. 31 issue)* in their study of physicians who treat members of their own families is that a financial motive may prompt such an arrangement. When a physician treats family members, the economic benefit can be substantial. Likewise, many of the delays and frustrations of office and hospital visits can be avoided by seeing a physician who is a family member. Given the escalating cost of quality medical care and the inconveniences now associated with an office or hospital visit, motives related to the saving of time and . . .