When negative rights become positive entitlements: Complicity, conscience, and caregiving

Andrew G. Shuman, Adam A. Khan, Jeffrey S. Moyer, Mark E. Prince, Joseph Fins

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

Clinicians have an obligation to ensure that patients with adequate capacity can make autonomous decisions. Thus, patients who choose to forego treatment and leave hospitals "against medical advice" are typically allowed to do so. But what happens when they require clinicians' assistance to physically leave? Is it incumbent upon clinicians to not only respect and fulfill patients' requests with which they disagree, but to physically assist in their fulfillment? We attempt to develop an ethical framework wherein clinicians can honor patients' wishes without necessarily sacrificing their own moral position.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)308-315
Number of pages8
JournalJournal of Clinical Ethics
Volume23
Issue number4
StatePublished - Dec 1 2012

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Issues, ethics and legal aspects
  • Health(social science)
  • Health Policy

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