The better question to ask is how individual conscience can be respected while taking into account institutional requirements. Emergency physicians and their host organizations should anticipate the ethical tensions and develop mechanisms in advance for resolving these conflicts. Such advanced planning may allow solutions such as the availability of alternative providers and ethics service mediation of conflicts.

Reference

1. Curlin FA, Lawrence RE, Chin MH, Lantos JD. Religion, conscience, and controversial clinical practices. N Engl J Med. 2007;356:593-600.

Drs. Venkat, McGrath, DeSandre, and Phillips are members of the ACEP Ethics Committee.