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KMID : 1172020000010020201
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Journal of Korean Bioethics Association
2000 Volume.1 No. 2 p.201 ~ p.229
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Is Doctors’ Strike Ethically Permissible?
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Park Sang-Eun
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Abstract
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The doctors’ strike was brought about by the implantation of the separation of pharmacies and clinics is now entering its fourth month. Questions are arising about whether this strike is ethically permissible or not. The author has analyzed the ethical aspect of the doctors’ strike from three different viewpoints : firstly, ethical oaths, secondly, life-threatening
situations and finally, principles of biomedical ethics. In the case of ethical oaths, some restrict a doctor from striking at all, while others allow striking in order to establish a just medical system making evaluation difficult. On the basis
of life-threatening situations, strict application is required due to the fact that the degree of harm in any given situation is variable. From the viewpoint of the four principles of biomedical ethics(respect for autonomy, non-maleficence, beneficence, and justice), it is able to draw the conclusion that although the establishment of a just medical system may be urgent, a strike for such ends which in effect surpasses a patient’s inconvenience and threatens his/her health and even life itself, is not ethically permissible. Therefore, doctors’ strike to reform medical systems can only be strictly allowed under the condition that the biomedical ethical principle that no direct harm must be rendered upon patients’ lives is absolutely upheld.
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KEYWORD
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Doctors’ Strike, Ethical Oaths, Life-Threatening Situations, Principles of Biomedical Ethics, Ethical Judgement
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