Ethical Decisions in Times of Disaster Choices Healthcare Workers Must Make

The code of ethics for most healthcare professions is somewhat ambiguous when addressing the responsibilities of healthcare providers during public health emergencies. The American Medical Association has created new, stronger language addressing physicians’ duty to care for patients since the events of September 11, 2001, but other professions have not followed suit. Until such time, the author writes that healthcare providers will continue to be faced with making challenging ethical decisions with little direction.