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Published on: August 14, 2019
Ethical planning for an influenza pandemic
H L Barr1, J T Macfarlane, O Macgregor
1Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, City Hospital Campus. hbarr@doctors.org.uk
Clinical Medicine (London, England)
|March 14, 2008
Summary
UK healthcare professionals are willing to work during a pandemic, but ethical debates are needed for resource allocation, especially for intensive care unit (ICU) beds.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Medical Ethics
- Emergency Preparedness
Background:
- The UK Pandemic Influenza Contingency Plan was established in 2006.
- Limited research has explored the societal ethical acceptability of this plan.
- Pandemic preparedness requires understanding healthcare professionals' ethical perspectives.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess healthcare professionals' attitudes towards ethical responsibilities during a pandemic.
- To investigate views on resource allocation in intensive care units (ICUs) during a pandemic.
- To evaluate the ethical acceptability of the UK's pandemic influenza plan.
Main Methods:
- A survey was distributed to 1,018 hospital staff, with 406 returned (40% response rate).
- The survey included two hypothetical scenarios.
- Attitudes towards professional/ethical duties and ICU resource allocation were assessed.
Main Results:
- 79% of respondents would continue working during a pandemic, and 83% felt it unprofessional for doctors to leave.
- Only 54% agreed on selecting the same patient for the last ICU bed.
- Most staff indicated a willingness to work despite personal risk, but opinions on resource allocation varied widely.
Conclusions:
- Healthcare professionals are committed to working during pandemics, even with personal risk.
- Significant ethical diversity exists regarding ICU bed allocation during a pandemic.
- Open ethical debate is crucial for developing acceptable and practical UK pandemic plans.
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