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Related Experiment Videos

When pestilence prevails...physician responsibilities in epidemics.

Samuel J Huber1, Matthew K Wynia

  • 1University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry.

The American Journal of Bioethics : AJOB
|March 24, 2004
PubMed
Summary

Physicians have a professional duty to care for patients during epidemics, a commitment that has evolved historically. Renewed commitment to this duty strengthens medicine's societal role and preparedness for health threats.

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Area of Science:

  • Medical Ethics
  • Public Health
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • The historical
  • duty to treat
  • physicians evolved with perceived risks of nosocomial infections, professional organization, and public reliance.

Observation:

  • Physician responses to epidemics show an evolving acceptance of treating contagious patients, peaking from 1847 to the 1950s.
  • A recent decline in this commitment has occurred, yet current conditions support its re-acceptance.

Findings:

  • The professional obligation to care for patients during epidemics is a critical component of medical professionalism.
  • Despite personal risks, embracing this duty is essential for public health preparedness.

Implications:

Keywords:
Analytical ApproachHealth Care and Public Health

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  • Renewed commitment to the duty to treat can enhance the physician-society relationship.
  • Strengthening this obligation improves societal capacity to manage bioterrorism and epidemic threats.
  • It fosters a more robust and meaningful medical professionalism.