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Should Doctors be Allowed to Strike?
Currently, there is a strike by 10,000 physicians at public hospitals in a state of India in an attempt to get better salaries and work opportunities similar to those in other federal hospitals in India. The government has suspended 40 doctors, and 390 others have been arrested for failing to perform their duties. http://www.cnn.com/2011/12/25/world/asia/india-doctors-strike/index.html?hpt=hp_t3
Over the years there have been physician strikes elsewhere in the world and in the United States for various reasons including the high cost of malpractice insurance. A 2004 article in the American Journal of Bioethics by Autumn Fiester
http://bioethics.net/journal/j_articles.php?aid=62 argues the ethics against walkouts by physicians, in this case the issue has been the increasing malpractice insurance cost rates not keeping pace with physician reimbursements.
My question to Medpedia readers is whether physicians have a right to strike and if so for what reasons and if they do, is such individual physician termination of services, without any replacement provided ethical? ..Maurice.
Over the years there have been physician strikes elsewhere in the world and in the United States for various reasons including the high cost of malpractice insurance. A 2004 article in the American Journal of Bioethics by Autumn Fiester
http://bioethics.net/journal/j_articles.php?aid=62 argues the ethics against walkouts by physicians, in this case the issue has been the increasing malpractice insurance cost rates not keeping pace with physician reimbursements.
My question to Medpedia readers is whether physicians have a right to strike and if so for what reasons and if they do, is such individual physician termination of services, without any replacement provided ethical? ..Maurice.
asked Dec 26 at 09:50AM in Other
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answered Dec 28 at 08:48PMNo. And I don't think nurses should be able to strike either. I have been through two nurses strikes at one of the hospitals where my twins are treated. It's a nightmare and it has caused a lot of stress on the patients and families.
At least when nurses strike, doctors seem to be able to take over some of their duties. I think it's highly unethical to injure patients and there is no question this what would happen if all doctors at a hospital go on strike. People will die. Is it worth it to have blood on your hands forever?
There must be better ways to negotiate a decrease in malpractice insurance cost rates, physician reimbursements, etc. without having to strike. Doctors are some of the smartest people on the planet. Surely they have the brains and power to come up with a better solution. -
0Votesanswered Dec 28 at 10:22PMChris, what if the intent and motivation of a doctor or nurse strike was, despite the immediate effects on some patients, to improve the medical care system to the betterment of all future patients? Would that be an acceptable and ethical rationale to strike? ..Maurice.
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answered Jan 01 at 11:46AMHappy New Year to All!
Doctors are workers, who like all workers, have the right to work in fair, humane and safe working conditions. Doctors, like all other workers, have the right to seek better working conditions.
Doctors usually organize themselves in collective bodies,unions, to negotiate on their behalf for better working conditions which include health, safety and well-being. Sometimes, after exhausting all conciliatory measures, there is an impasse.
http://www.eurofound.europa.eu/areas/industrialrelations/dictionary/definitions/workingconditions.htm
The Good-will of the whole community, I believe, is the key. The good-will of the patient takes precedent over the employment relationship " fiasco.' "First do no harm to the patient."
When doctors " sit-out," Emergency care is Usually given. Emergency care is usually on-going. The Elective cases and out-patient clinic appointments are cancelled and postponed to a future date."Sit -outs" should be rare ( if ever) and it should be quick and temporary in order to do "No Harm" to the patient.
This Egyptian article typifies the "usual" general working conditions" in the public health services:
http://english.ahram.org.eg/News/11842.aspx
"The group insist that it was a “civilized strike,” that did not harm any patients, who were told to go to emergency rooms to get medical attention."
"The issue of hospital safety is also a major issue for many doctors."
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I think there must a better way to put pressure on the medical care system and governments to change healthcare policies to create change instead of through a strike (as least in the US).
I guess I don't fundamentally support the idea of labor unions or their tactics. If I don't like how my employer is treating me, I have the option to quit and find new employment or a new profession.
I feel people should be able to protest but it seems we can write legislative bills and vote for new laws. How can doctors push back in a meaningful way?
I realize that some hospitals are prob