When Residents Let Conscience Be Their Guide: Professional Development and Educational Opportunity.

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

4-2018

Identifier

DOI: 10.1016/j.acap.2017.12.003

Abstract

Residency is a time of professional identity formation. During this time, residents may first be exposed to conflicts between professional duties and personal beliefs which may lead to a request for a conscience-based exemption. Faculty, whether the supervising attending or the program director, have an important role in the professional and ethical development of residents by acknowledging and supporting residents as they encounter these potential conflicts. In this paper, we highlight three areas of unique issues that arise within the context of residency training programs when a resident makes a request to be excused from clinical duties based on personal conscience: namely, the maintenance of educational standards, the burdens that may be placed on colleagues, and the responsibility for faculty to foster the professional development of ethically sensitive pediatricians.

Journal Title

Acad Pediatr

Volume

18

Issue

3

First Page

239

Last Page

242

MeSH Keywords

Bioethics; Conscience; Conscientious Refusal to Treat; Curriculum; Humans; Internship and Residency; Morals; Pediatrics; Staff Development

Keywords

bioethics; conscientious objection; professionalism; residency education

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