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Table 4 Examples of ethical concerns discussed

From: The outcomes of a mobile just-in-time-learning intervention for teaching bioethics in Pakistan

Ethical concern

Example

Conflict of interest

Should consultants charge medical students, trainees, nurses or fellow consultants for clinic visits or procedures?

Confidentiality

Is it ethical to disclose patient information to someone in the hospital who is not a member of the healthcare team?

Consent taking

Is it sufficient to inform a patient about the physical examination by a resident/student or do we also need to give them the option to refuse by phrasing it as a question?

Resource allocation

Provincial government develops a plan without the involvement of the health teams at the district level

Harassment

Junior doctors being bullied by consultants, name calling in front of the patients

Do no harm

An attending physician suggesting surgery when it is not necessary

Policies not being followed

Psychiatry patients not allowed to change their doctor or take LAMA (leave against medical advice) despite the hospital’s policy on patient’s rights and responsibilities

Professionalism

Poor role modelling – attending physicians wear gowns, scrubs, shoe covers, etc. in and out of the OR, but students and trainees are questioned about the same