Douglas B White, Baruch Brody
Abstract
Conclusion
The notion that protecting physicians’ consciences benefits physicians at the expense of patients has created an overly simplistic dialogue about conscience in medicine. Viewing the issue from a societal perspective and conceptualizing medical quality as a public good allow a more robust understanding of the relationship between CBR and quality medical care. Policies that allow some CBRs while also ensuring patients’ access to the requested services may yield better overall medical quality by fostering a diverse workforce that possesses integrity, sensitivity to patients’ needs, and respect for diversity. This analysis is necessary for a genuine public discussion about how to handle moral pluralism among patients and physicians. The societal perspective should be incorporated into efforts to develop a comprehensive framework for when CBRs should and should not be accommodated.
White DB, Brody B. Would Accommodating Some Conscientious Objections by Physicians Promote Quality in Medical Care?. J Am Med Ass. 2011 May 4;305(17):1804-1805.