Conscientious objection in the healthcare domain: A balance between rights and responsibilities

Authors

  • Rosa Maria Pérez-Capellades Universitat de Barcelona. Programa de doctorado Enfermería y Salud https://orcid.org/0009-0005-6348-6129
  • Anna Falcó-Pegueroles Departamento de Enfermería Fundamental y Clínica. Facultad de Enfermería. Grupo de Investigación Consolidado SGR 325 Bioética, Derecho y Sociedad (BIOELSi). Universidad de Barcelona https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3702-3009
  • Sergio Ramos Pozón Departamento de Enfermería Fundamental y Clínica, Facultad de Enfermería. Grupo de Investigación Consolidado SGR 325 Bioética, Derecho y Sociedad (BIOELSi), U. de Barcelona https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5772-6676

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1344/rbd2024.60.43672

Keywords:

bioethics, implications, barriers, conscientious objection, institutional conscientious objection

Abstract

The enactment of Organic Law 3/2021 on euthanasia in Spain has sparked a significant debate in the field of bioethics, namely the issue of conscientious objection (CO) among healthcare professionals. However, despite the scientific literature addressing this matter, the understanding of the underlying reasons that drive professionals to object is not entirely clear. Several authors have highlighted that CO is rooted in personal beliefs, professional ethics, emotional aspects, and dynamics within the healthcare system. Simultaneously, there have been varying stances on the legitimacy of CO, leading to debates regarding its validity.

The objectives of this article are to review the concept of conscientious objection in the healthcare context, analyze the factors motivating this right, examine the consequences of CO on the workload of non-objecting professionals, and explore its potential ethical conflict with distributive justice in healthcare. Finally, we will reflect on the possibility of institutional CO and its potential implications for the rights of patients and healthcare workers.

Author Biographies

Rosa Maria Pérez-Capellades , Universitat de Barcelona. Programa de doctorado Enfermería y Salud

University of Barcelona. Doctoral Program in Nursing and Health Nurse. Pallars Hospital

Anna Falcó-Pegueroles , Departamento de Enfermería Fundamental y Clínica. Facultad de Enfermería. Grupo de Investigación Consolidado SGR 325 Bioética, Derecho y Sociedad (BIOELSi). Universidad de Barcelona

Department of Fundamental and Clinical Nursing. Faculty of Nursing. Consolidated Research Group SGR 325 Bioethics, Law, and Society (BIOELSi). University of Barcelona

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Published

2024-02-13

How to Cite

Pérez-Capellades , R. M. . ., Falcó-Pegueroles , A. ., & Ramos Pozón, S. (2024). Conscientious objection in the healthcare domain: A balance between rights and responsibilities . Revista De Bioética Y Derecho, (60), 3–18. https://doi.org/10.1344/rbd2024.60.43672

Issue

2024: Núm. 60 - mar

Section

General section

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Copyright (c) 2023 Rosa Maria Pérez-Capellades, Anna Falcó-Pegueroles, Sergio Ramos-Pozón

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