Ethical Guidelines for Addressing Common Dilemmas
in the Practice of Medicine
June 24, 2024
Living in a secular society, it is impossible to avoid moments when one must cooperate with
evil, that is, act in ways that assist in the immoral actions of another, and it can be challenging to
find ways to limit one’s involvement. Physicians and other healthcare professionals need to be assured that the refusal to
perform certain activities is different from the refusal to treat the patient. They remain willing to
provide care within ethical boundaries that the patient, or even management, may reject. Such
situations may present moral conflicts for the physician….
The Ideology of Gender Harms Children
Defining Terms and Understanding the Issue “Gender is a term that refers to the psychological and cultural characteristics associated with biological sex. It is a psychological concept….Gender identity refers to an individual’s awareness of being male or female, referred to as an individual’s ‘experienced gender’” (American College of Pediatricians, 2018). Sex is a biological…
PrEP
Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis for HIV (PrEP) is recommended by the CDC for patients at risk of contracting HIV disease from sexual activity or IV drug use. PrEP involves taking a combination pill of antiretroviral medications daily. If the patient is compliant with the regimen, studies confirm a reduction of sexual activity related HIV by 99% and…
ED Treatment
In recent years, Catholic and other Christian clinicians have inquired about the ethical status of prescribing erectile dysfunction (ED) medications to unmarried men. The Catholic Medical Association does not object to the utilization of medications for ED for men in a married, monogamous, and heterosexual relationship. This is, of course, after an appropriate medical evaluation…
Conscience
Conscience is a fundamental aspect of what it is to be human. Conscience is the ability to distinguish between good and bad action and strive to live in conformity with the virtue of integrity. The formation of conscience and its role in human actions is perhaps the most critical aspect of a person’s character. Many…
The Duty to Care: When Health Care Workers Face Personal Risk
Click here to read: The Duty to Care: When Health Care Workers Face Personal Risks
Statement on Emergency Contraception in Cases of Rape
The trauma of rape is severe, and so often results in an unplanned pregnancy. Compassion must be provided to the victim who has been raped, but at the same time, be mindful a human life may have been conceived and cannot be attacked or destroyed. Compassion, support, and understanding should always be offered by medical…