Ought Conscientious Refusals to Implement Reverse Triage Decisions be Accommodated?

Date

2020

Authors

Emmerich, Nathan

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Springer

Abstract

Although one can argue that they do not represent a radical departure from existing practices, protocols for reverse triage certainly step beyond what is ordinarily done in medicine and healthcare. Nevertheless, there seems to be some degree of moral concern regarding the ethical legitimacy of practicing reverse triage in the context of a pandemic. Such concern can be taken as a reflection of the moral antipathy some exhibit towards current practices of withdrawing treatment-that is, when withdrawal of treatment is arguably in the best interests of patients-and a rejection of the purported normative insignificance of withholding and withdrawing. Given that the relevance of the psychological attitudes of some healthcare professionals to the moral assessment of withdrawing and withholding treatment continues to be debated, it would seem that some thought should be given to the introduction and implementation of reverse triage decisions in response to a pandemic. This brief paper will consider if provision should be made for healthcare professionals to conscientiously refuse to participate in reverse triage.

Description

Keywords

COVID-19, Pandemic, Triage, Reverse triage, Withdrawing, Conscientious objection, Conscientious refusal

Citation

Source

Journal of Bioethical Inquiry

Type

Journal article

Book Title

Entity type

Access Statement

License Rights

Restricted until

2099-12-31

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