The Celestial Fire of Conscience — Refusing to Deliver Medical Care

R Alta Charo

Abstract
Apparently heeding George Washington’s call to “labor to keep alive in your breast that little spark of celestial fire called conscience,” physicians, nurses, and pharmacists are increasingly claiming a right to the autonomy not only to refuse to provide services they find objectionable, but even to refuse to refer patients to another provider and, more recently, to inform them of the existence of legal options for care.

Charo RA. The Celestial Fire of Conscience — Refusing to Deliver Medical Care. N Engl J Med.. 2005 Jun 16;352(24).