Medical College of Wisconsin
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Ethical practice under fire: deployed physicians in the global war on terrorism. Mil Med 2009 May;174(5):441-7

Date

05/01/2009

Pubmed ID

20731272

DOI

10.7205/milmed-d-01-5208

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-77949406372 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   15 Citations

Abstract

The Global War on Terrorism brings significant ethical challenges for military physicians. From Abu Ghraib to Guantanamo Bay, the actions of health care providers have come under considerable scrutiny. Military providers have dual roles as military officers and medical professionals, which have the potential to come into conflict. Often they are inadequately prepared to manage this conflict. We review pertinent historical precedents, applicable laws, ethical guidelines, and military regulations. We also present examples of ethical challenges deployed clinicians have faced and their ethical solution. Finally, we propose a practical strategy to educate physicians on how to manage complex ethical dilemmas in war time settings.

Author List

Sessums LL, Collen JF, O'Malley PG, Jackson JL, Roy MJ

Author

Jeffrey L. Jackson MD Professor in the Medicine department at Medical College of Wisconsin




MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Ethics, Medical
Humans
Military Medicine
Military Personnel
Physician's Role
Physicians
Terrorism
Torture
United States
Warfare