Medical ethics requires a provider to be honest and trustworthy. The provider must not attest to anything that is false or misleading.
Reason for falsification:
(1) to commit fraud or other criminal act for personal gain
(2) to protect self (typically if there is risk of a malpractice suit)
(3) to help someone out
Examples of falsification done to help out a patient:
(1) to provide a work or school excuse when none is indicated
(2) to make the patient's condition sound worse than it is so that the patient qualifies for an enhanced benefit
(3) to claim a problem exists so that the person can avoid something (military service, vaccination, etc)
Consequences of the falsification:
(1) criminal charges
(2) disciplinary action
(3) a web of lies that may get out of hand
(4) a tarnished reputation
