Publication

Responding to discriminatory requests for a different healthcare provider

Anstey, Kyle
; 
Wright, Linda
Authors
Anstey, Kyle
Wright, Linda
Contributor(s)
Keywords
Accommodation
discriminatory requests diversity
ethics
guidelines
harm
racism
GE Subjects
Collections
Intercultural Ethics
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Journal Issue
URI
http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12424/4090275
Online Access
https://globethics.idm.oclc.org/login?url=https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0969733013486799
Abstract
Patient requests for a healthcare provider of a particular race or sexual orientation create a conflict of obligations. On the one hand, providers have a duty to deliver clinically indicated care consistent with patient preferences. On the other hand, providers have legal, professional, and organizational assurances that they should not suffer workplace discrimination. Protecting healthcare providers from harm while maintaining obligations to patients requires unambiguous messaging to both parties. Providers need to be clear that their organization will not be complicit in discrimination against them, instead supporting their needs and preferences for management of the situation. In a context of patient-centered care, harm principle-based boundaries of respect for autonomy must be defined. A Caregiver preference guideline developed and used at University Health Network, Toronto provides a standardized way for the organization to decide when it will honor patient requests for providers of a particular background. This process stresses dialogue, assessment of clinical feasibility, and empowerment and support for affected care providers.
Note(s)
Topic
Type
Article
Date
2014-02-01
Identifier
SAGE-10.1177/0969733013486799
ISSN-PRINT-0969-7330
ISSN-ELECT-1477-0989
http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0969733013486799
ISBN
DOI
10.1177/0969733013486799
Copyright/License
© The Author(s) 2013
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