Dr. Robert Klitzmanis a professor of psychiatry, an online director, anddirectly from the Bioethics Program. Master ofat Columbia University. He said, "Baby Design: How Technology Is Changing the Way We Have Children", "I'm My Gene. In the Age of Genetic Testing, Fate and Family Secrets The author of "Confronting". And "Ethical Police. Struggle to Secure Human Research" The opinions expressed in this commentary are only his own. SeeOther Opinions on CNN.
(CNN)I never forget to take the Hippocratic Oathof the dark and dark wooden panels of my medical school In the room, a line of my graduated medical classmates and I stood in a pristine white coat. We raised our right hand and solemnly pledged to the highest ethical standards possible when treating patients for the rest of our careers.
We provide patients with maximum capacity I promised to keep their confidentiality and not hurt them, in order to put their interests first. The seriousness of our vows impressed us deeply.
Being a doctor is not the same as being an executive, salesperson, or politician. We concentrate on very high moral norms. That doesn't mean that individuals in different work areas can't do the same thing, but for doctors it's part of the job description.
The vow, written about 2,000 years ago, remains our traditional moral compass, the North Star, and I to guide us in the face of conflicting demands. It is deeply rooted in us. -I just want to go home and sleep, but I have a hard time with a sick patient at night.
It is worth noting that patients are discussing the possibility of abortion not only with OB-GYN, but also with medical internists, psychiatrists and others. As a psychiatrist and researcher, I talked about the abortion decisions women faced. I'm fortunate to be able to work in New York, a state that definitely holds the right to abortion, but many of my fellow doctors in other states have fears and serious problems with the court's opinion. .. With Roe's fall, doctors may have to face disturbing decisions about whether to obey the law or keep the Hippocratic Oath.
I put myself in the position of a colleague in a state where abortion is prohibited or severely restricted, and I am trying to imagine the immense tensions these doctors are currently experiencing.
However, in most states, turbidity is widespread and doctors are worried.
States across the country need to adopt similar protections, but it is unclear if they will and how this patchwork of various state laws works.
Not surprisingly, in states where abortion laws are restricted, my OB-GYN colleague is discussing moving. Medical students tell me they don't want to train in states where they can't discuss abortion. There are far fewer trainees from the best medical schools in our country who want to provide reproductive health care and will want to move to these states. It only compromises the quality of care there.
Now that Roe has overthrown, we are forced to embark on a slippery slope asking which elements of physical autonomy are restricted in a particular state. Follow state law and act in the best interests of the patient. Please keep this in mind as the Legislature and Governor are considering legislation that will prevent quality medical care for the citizens.
Whether or not we support abortion, we all need to be aware of these widespread harms to society and the negative impact this ruling has on doctors, hospitals, health systems and patients. .. Understanding these dangers will help state and national policy makers, as well as voters, to carefully rethink whether they support abortion bans.
Overturning the Roe v. Wade case not only hurt women seeking abortion, but also hurt us all.
