You're a medical student shadowing a GP, the doctor leaves the room and the diabetic patient the GP is assessing confides in you that he put five teaspoons of sugar in his tea every time, he specifically wants you to not tell the GP. What should you do?

There are several aspects of this question to consider, think specifically about medical ethics and incorporate into your answers. Sugar in tea is evidently a bad idea for a diabetic and thus the patient is doing harm to themselves, however they do not want the GP to know, you need to weigh up and factor reasons for/against telling the GP. I shall look in detail at the ethics and thought processes you should consider.

Autonomy- in medicine it is important to respect the wishes of patients and you need to consider this especially in the decision of telling the GP. Whilst the GP isn't present explaining the risks of sugar to the patient and saying it would be beneficial if the GP knew for his medical notes/medication/physiological support may be given. Allowing the patient to come to the correct decision themselves whilst giving advice is respecting autonomy.

Beneficence- the principle that states "do good", by not telling the GP the patient could continue to harm themselves and thus beneficence has not occurred. This would be my main reason in telling the GP, remember you are a medical student and not a qualified doctor, therefore you have to question if you have the medical knowledge/training to withhold this information, leading to the conclusion that once the patient has left you should discuss the issue with the GP. 

When giving your answer it is important to include all these thought processes and talk through them out loud, it is important to come to a conclusion to show you are decisive and can make decisions under pressure.