OB/GYN at a local hospital is HIV-positive
in Health ·
Olivia Lopez10 said:I believe the most ethical path would be for the physician to proactively request a transfer to a department or role where there is zero risk of injury and subsequent bloodborne transmission to a patient.
The risk of accidental injury exists for gynecologists and surgeons alike—for instance, a scalpel slip could easily cut a doctor, leading to contact with an open wound—and I feel medical ethics dictate that a physician should never jeopardize patient safety.
It’s a different matter when discussing the obligation to treat the sick, because a doctor chooses this calling of their own free will, fully aware of the inherent risks, and has taken the Hippocratic Oath.
Patients shouldn't have to carry the burden of looking out for their doctors; after all, if a doctor loses their sight, they wouldn't be permitted to perform surgery, and they would instead be moved to a suitable role or transitioned into retirement.
Someone suggested working with HIV patients might be a viable option, perhaps because such a doctor would become even more sensitive to those conditions and develop a deeper empathy for them.
Transitioning into the pharmaceutical industry could also be a solution, given how closely it aligns with their expertise.
There is always a way to ensure the doctor remains safe while simultaneously protecting the patient.
I would never allow my child to be operated on by an HIV-positive surgeon, though I might be more conflicted regarding my own care.
I've read through this entire thread thoroughly, and I find myself agreeing with these sentiments... though I'd add that if there is any reason why a doctor cannot
perform their duties as effectively as their peers, I believe I have a right to know... especially if there is any potential risk of infection during a procedure or exam... I HAVE THAT RIGHT.
To the student and everyone else involved, I would suggest that one shouldn't raise their voice at what may eventually be their own patients... (and I certainly hope I won't be one of them).
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