Sumienie w zawodzie lekarza

Abstract

The medical profession is one of the few occupations where, in addition to skills and competence, special attention is paid to ethical attitudes. The internal morality of the medical profession, rooted in the origins of medicine, remains relevant in modern times, despite the advancement of medical science. Therefore, apart from applying appropriate procedures and medical knowledge, physicians should also follow the voice of conscience while performing their duties. As a result of the development of the patient autonomy principle and the process of replacing the paternalistic approach with a new contract-based model of the patient-doctor relationship, where certain medical services require further legal authorization, any reflections on the physician’s conscience have been pushed into the background. This is because, as some people claim, the physician’s conscience may significantly affect the patient’s right to desired services within health care. Therefore, it is vital to maintain the harmonious coexistence of both the patient’s autonomy and the physician’s autonomy. The conduct of medical personnel in compliance with judgements of conscience, based on universal and fundamental truths, truly benefits the patient. The adoption of the same universal values in medical practice by each side is a potential solution to the problem.