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What Should I Do?
1Center for Bioethics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA.
Annals of Surgery
|July 18, 2020
Summary
High-risk surgeons face a dilemma caring for COVID-19 patients. The study finds opting out is a morally permissible decision for frontline healthcare workers, allowing alternative contributions.
Area of Science:
- Medical Ethics
- Infectious Disease Management
- Surgical Practice
Background:
- Frontline surgeons face high morbidity and mortality risks from COVID-19.
- Healthcare providers at high risk were offered the option to opt out of caring for COVID-19 patients.
- This presents a conflict between the duty to care and self-preservation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the ethical considerations for high-risk surgeons regarding patient care during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- To explore the conflicting duties of a practicing surgeon facing high personal risk.
- To determine the moral permissibility of opting out of direct patient care in such situations.
Main Methods:
- Ethical analysis of the duty to care versus personal risk.
- Examination of obligations to self, family, society, and co-workers.
- Consideration of alternative contributions to patient and provider well-being.
Main Results:
- The decision to opt out was found to be morally permissible and rational for high-risk healthcare workers.
- Opting out allows for continued contribution to patient care through alternative means.
- The decision involves complex ethical considerations and may still evoke moral distress.
Conclusions:
- High-risk healthcare workers can ethically opt out of direct COVID-19 patient care.
- Alternative roles allow continued support for patients and colleagues.
- Balancing professional duty with personal safety is crucial in pandemic situations.
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