Restarting Orthopaedic Care in a Pandemic: Ethical Framework and Case Examples

Area of Science:

• Public Health Ethics
• Orthopaedic Surgery
• Pandemic Response

Background:

• Resuming non-emergency orthopaedic surgery during pandemics presents complex ethical challenges.
• Existing guidelines lack explicit ethical frameworks for pandemic-related surgical care cessation and resource allocation.
• Pandemics necessitate a re-evaluation of surgical practice through the lens of public health ethics.

Observation:

• The resumption of non-emergency orthopaedic surgery during a pandemic presents significant ethical challenges.
• Public health ethics principles are crucial for navigating these challenges.

Findings:

• Proposed ethical guidance for orthopaedic care resumption focuses on clinical equipoise, triage tiers, and flexibility.
• This framework aims to address ethical dilemmas in resource allocation and delayed surgical care.

Implications:

• Physicians can use these ethical guidelines and examples to navigate the complexities of resuming orthopaedic care.
• Implementing ethical frameworks ensures equitable and responsible patient care during public health emergencies.