The Moral, Ethical, Personal, and Professional Challenges Faced by Physicians during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic, apart from the main problems concerning the health and life of patients, sparked a discussion about physicians’ moral and social professional attitudes. During a pandemic, physicians have the same ethical, moral, and medical responsibilities, however, the situation is different since they are self-exposed to a danger, which may influence their willingness to work. The problem of the professional moral attitudes of health care workers, recurring in ethical discussions, prompts us to define the limits of the duties of physicians in the event of a pandemic, hence this research aimed to assess these duties from an ethical perspective and to define their boundaries and scope. The study was conducted in May and June 2020 in the city of Lublin, covering all medical centers, and the questionnaire was completed by 549 physicians. The research was conducted in four areas: emergency standby in the event of a disaster, even if it is not requested; willingness to work overtime in the event of a disaster, even without payment; willingness to take health risks by caring for people who are infectious or exposed to hazardous substances; readiness to be transferred to other departments in the event of a disaster. Although most of the respondents declared to be agreed on personal sacrifices in the performance of professional duties, they were not prepared for a high level of personal risk when working in a pandemic. Excessive workload, its overwhelming nature, and personal risk are not conducive to readiness to work overtime, especially without pay. Research shows how important it is to respect the rights and interests of all parties involved in a pandemic. Physicians’ duty to care for a patient is also conditioned by the duty to protect themselves and should not be a tool for intimidating and depersonalizing their social and professional lives.

The Right to Refuse: Understanding Healthcare Providers’ Perspectives on Patient Autonomy in Emergency Care

“…The reasons behind refusal of medical attention or discharge against medical advice are manifold and complex, ranging from misunderstandings and language barriers to denial of illness, mistrust of the healthcare system, previous unpleasant experiences, fear, anger, and family obligations [ 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 ]. It is vital for healthcare providers to understand these factors to better address them and provide optimal patient care.…”

Reducing Violence in Riyadh’s Emergency Departments: The Critical Role of Healthcare Providers

“…Several researchers have investigated the extent to which the experience of violent events at work may increase the chances of burnout, including fear, anger, and depression [ 1 , 6 , 20 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 ] A recent study found that non-physical violence, mainly verbal aggression, was associated with emotional exhaustion, cynicism, and reduced professional efficacy [ 15 ]. Likewise, the participants in our study agreed that the assault had an emotional or physical impact on them, and it also impacted patients’ treatment and care.…”

Ethical Awareness and Practices Among Emergency Department Personnel in Riyadh’s Tertiary Hospitals: A Cross-Sectional Analysis

“…This finding underscores the importance of the supervisory role in addressing legal issues and ensuring adherence to legal frameworks. [29][30][31][32] When comparing the results of this study with previously conducted research studies, several similarities and differences emerge. It is important to note that each study is influenced by unique contextual factors and sample characteristics, which may contribute to variations in findings.…”