Catholic Medical Quarterly Volume 73(2) May 2023
Correspondence
Doctors Strike: Ethical Considerations
From the Medical Ethics Alliance
Junior
doctors voted overwhelmingly to take strike action and senior doctors may
follow suit. Under the present leadership of the BMA , our reputation with
the public has deteriorated a long way since the applause given to medical
and nursing staff during the pandemic. Indeed, will it recover?
Why are doctors voting for industrial action? The reasons are many, but what considerations should they take into account when they vote? Are the interests of patients really being taken into account?
The public still think that doctors have a professional ethic, but the Hippocratic oath has long gone. It is not administered on qualifying and few doctors know of the Declaration of Geneva which encapsulated it in 1948. What ethical considerations should govern how they vote?
The Hippocratic tradition includes "first do no harm." Therefore, what harm will follow if they withdraw their care? They are well placed to see the effect of their strike on patients and are actually using that as leverage to resolve other issues including remuneration..
For the doctor who looks towards the Abrahamic teaching, other considerations should prevail. Is the doctor not under an ethical duty to provide care, to heal the sick and relieve suffering? The doctor needs to examine his or her conscience and look towards scripture. One could ask "What would the Good Samaritan do?"
The reputation of the profession is also at stake judging by the adverse headlines occurring daily. Where is the BMA leading us? Will doctors regain the trust of the public?
Dr A P Cole JP FRCPE
Chairman of the Medical Ethics Alliance