Why Conscientious Practices and Refusals are Essential to Good Doctor - Patient Relationships

Authors

Farr Curlin

Files

Publication Date

11-8-2012

Keywords

ethics, refusal of care, moral objection

Disciplines

Bioethics and Medical Ethics

Abstract

What should a clinician do when a patient asks for a legal medical intervention to which the physician has a religious or other moral objection? There is much debate as to whether or not it is ethical for the clinician to refuse what the patient seeks. Do such refusals impose a physician’s personal values on what should be strictly professional decisions?

Specialty/Research Institute

Biomedical Ethics

Comments

Allen M. Boyden, M.D. Memorial Lectureship