שקר על מנת להציל

In last week’s parsha, Va-Yehi, Yosef’s brothers lie to him after Ya’aqov dies, telling him that Ya’aqov instructed them to tell Yosef to forgive them. In Yevamot (65b) we are told that we learn from this that muttar le-shanot mi-pnei ha-shalom—it is permissible to tell falsehoods for the sake of peace.

I am teaching a group of physicians here in the United States and the following question arose: if a physician made a medical error, is he allowed to lie in order to save his own skin? Is he required to tell the truth to the patient or to the family?

I am interested in any articles you have on this topic, preferably in English.

[Dr. Halperin adds: this might be a question in a case where telling the truth could lead to the information being used against the physician in a lawsuit. If he is going to be forced to pay damages that according to halakha he does not have to pay and there is no dina de-malkhuta, is he allowed to lie in order to save himself from losing money in a way considered gezeila according to halakha? (The question is not if it is “worth it” to lie, but rather, on the assumption that it is, is it allowed?)

Another question: is a person allowed to lie in order to save himself from losing all his wealth?]