A woman talking with a doctor. Photo: SeventyFour (via Getty Images)
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Live by Design is a weekly News24 column about mortality and the conversations surrounding it, by Dr Helena Dolny and Mapi Murang.
The discourse surrounding the patient's right to choose the manner of death has sparked heated debate, influenced by Helena Dolny's thought-provoking column “What do you think is a good death?'' While some have vehemently opposed this right, citing the views of medical experts, the nuances and complexity of the issue are clearly highlighted.
The parallels with the complex debates faced by medical professionals on issues such as abortion compel us to reflect on the delicate balance between the demands of the profession and the expectations of health workers.
Abortion is legal in South Africa and many medical professionals provide this assistance every day. However, it is widely known that in South Africa many women are choosing to undergo illegal abortions after encountering resistance from certain medical professionals. This barrier often forces women to seek unsafe abortion services, putting their health and well-being at risk. A wealth of research published in the South African Medical Journal highlights the challenges young girls and women face when seeking abortion services. Discussions about the rights of medical professionals preceded the legalization of abortion in South Africa and remain central to debates about end-of-life decisions.
Respecting patient rights is fundamental to providing quality medical care. Patients have the right to receive accurate and understandable information about their medical condition, treatment options, and potential risks. Patients also have the right to make decisions about their medical care, including giving or withholding consent to treatment. Patient instructions such as “do not resuscitate” should be respected.
However, professional medical professionals also have rights that should be respected. These rights include the autonomy to make clinical decisions based on training and expertise, free from undue influence or coercion. Respect for professional judgment, ethical values, and a commitment to patient care is essential to fostering a positive work environment that supports the delivery of high-quality health care services. Balancing the rights of patients and healthcare professionals is important to maintaining a harmonious and effective healthcare system that prioritizes both patient well-being and professional integrity.
Professionals are expected to serve without fear or prejudice. Can you imagine a scenario where a journalist refuses to be interviewed or a judge recuses himself from a case citing personal or religious beliefs?
Consider a journalist whose beliefs are in stark contrast to public figures like former U.S. President Donald Trump. Their professional obligation requires them to report the story objectively, despite their personal reservations. Similarly, although judges are deeply rooted in their faith, when faced with cases involving different religions, they are responsible for delivering fair sentences, regardless of the conviction. You may be hearing people saying, “It's not that simple,” but is it? The crux of the issue lies in how different professions align personal beliefs and responsibilities. Maintaining professionalism often requires putting aside personal biases to provide unbiased and impartial service.
Journalists navigate the complex interplay between personal beliefs and professional responsibilities while seeking to report objectively on a wide range of issues. Balancing subjectivity and providing accurate information can be difficult, especially when personal beliefs conflict with journalistic integrity. Ethical dilemmas often arise when journalists must put aside their personal biases in order to uphold the principles of fair and unbiased reporting. In these cases, maintaining transparency about their perspectives while upholding journalistic standards is critical to maintaining public trust in the media.
Similarly, judges face the burden of upholding justice while managing personal beliefs and values. When moral or religious beliefs conflict with judicial responsibilities, judges may face tough decisions regarding recusals to ensure impartiality. Upholding the rule of law and ensuring fair proceedings requires judges to set aside their personal biases and base their decisions on the law and the evidence presented in court. Striking a balance between personal beliefs and professional obligations is essential to protecting the integrity of the judicial system and upholding the principles of justice.
I believe that when a patient refuses medication or chooses the right to die with dignity, they are not asking much of a medical professional.
I would like you to reflect on the interplay between professional obligations and personal beliefs and answer this question. How can people, regardless of their field, ensure that their deeply held beliefs do not compromise the quality and fairness of the services they provide?
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Disclaimer: News24 encourages freedom of speech and the expression of diverse opinions. The views of columnists published on News24 are therefore their own and do not necessarily represent the views of News24.