Very thought-provoking and interesting comment, but I was caught by your final question. Yes, there is the doctor's standard of ethics, and there are the laws laid down by the government. But what about the rights and the choice of the patient? What about the 10-year-old girl who is in a hospital ER because she's been raped and needs emergency contraception, and yet the ER doctor who is treating her, or the hospital itself, refuses her the contraception?? Personally, as a patient, I'd expect my own doctor to leave personal religious and ethical beliefs at home and treat me with the best care that I need at any given time, and to let me make the choices that impact my body and life.
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Very thought-provoking and interesting comment, but I was caught by your final question. Yes, there is the doctor's standard of ethics, and there are the laws laid down by the government. But what about the rights and the choice of the patient? What about the 10-year-old girl who is in a hospital ER because she's been raped and needs emergency contraception, and yet the ER doctor who is treating her, or the hospital itself, refuses her the contraception?? Personally, as a patient, I'd expect my own doctor to leave personal religious and ethical beliefs at home and treat me with the best care that I need at any given time, and to let me make the choices that impact my body and life.
December 22, 2008 - 10:56pmThis Comment
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