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November 16, 2004
Professional Responsibility
I know that this is old news, but I would like to comment on health-care professionals that refuse to help people based on moral values. Everyone has their own moral values, but the question is whether or not your social responsibility in your occupation should take precedence in your work. I tend to think that it should, but there are many things to consider.
Here's an example: One day, a cop decides that he believes that on moral grounds, gay men should not receive legal or police protection if "something happens to them" and refuses to arrest those responsible for beating a gay man near to death. THIS IS EXACTLY LIKE LYNCHING, especially considering the police participation at the time. Should he be removed from his position? I suppose it depends on the job description, the law and on the code of ethics for that profession. The code of ethics has nothing to do with law. IANAL*, so I can't really say for sure, but I would think that a police professional code of ethics would not allow for someone to make a decision to NOT do their job based purely on sexual orientation, gender or race, regardless of morals. (They routinely make judgements on how they will do their job based on race, but not whether or not they will do it.)
La Fédération Québécoise des Massothérapeutes has a code of ethics whereby no one is refused based on creed, colour, etc. However, if a woman lives by herself and practices out of her own home feels uncomfortable massaging men she doesn't know, does this go against her professional code of ethics? The law? Suppose she owns a massage centre and simply believes that it is wrong for women to massage men and vice-versa? She is denying a health care service based on her morals and a person's gender.
I feel as though the cop does not have the right to not do his job to the best of his ability, and the massage therapist that has safety concerns has a valid reason for not massaging men. The second therapist, well, I'm not so sure. Generally, it seems to me as though if your occupation puts you in the position to have to make these decisions, then you should step down from that position if you are unable to follow through with your responsibilities. These responsibilities change with time, and like any profession, if you cannot keep up, then you should not be doing that job unless there are extenuating circumstances such as safety issues for the patient, victim or practitioner. Yes, I believe that health care professionals are responsible for providing help in whatever form to whomever needs it, just as cops are responsible for enforcing law no matter who the perpetrators or victims are.
What do you think?
*IANAL="I am not a lawyer"
Posted by JonasParker at November 16, 2004 1:03 PM
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