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What Should I Do?

Douglas W Hanto1,2

  • 1Center for Bioethics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA.

Annals of Surgery
|July 18, 2020
PubMed
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.

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  • 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.