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. 2020 Sep;158(3):526-530.
doi: 10.1016/j.ygyno.2020.06.494. Epub 2020 Jun 25.

Principles of ethics and critical communication during the COVID-19 pandemic

David I Shalowitz  1 , Carolyn Lefkowits  2 , Lisa M Landrum  3 , Vivian E von Gruenigen  4 , Monique A Spillman  5
Affiliations

Principles of ethics and critical communication during the COVID-19 pandemic

David I Shalowitz et al. Gynecol Oncol. 2020 Sep.

Abstract

  1. •

    During the COVID-19 pandemic, the primary clinical emphasis has shifted to optimizing community health.

  2. •

    Scarce resources should be allocated to maximize benefit without unfairly affecting any group.

  3. •

    Healthcare systems should consider adopting a formal, tier-based response to COVID-19 related demand on resources.

  4. •

    Clinicians should use principles of high-stakes communication to guide care planning during the pandemic.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declaration of Competing Interest Dr. Spillman reports that for this manuscript, my role is the Chair of the SGO Professional Ethics Committee, the moderator of the SGO webinar on the topic and the senior author of the manuscript. My conflict disclosure is that I am also the Vice-Chair of the American Medical Association Council on Ethical and Judicial Affairs, but this manuscript does not represent policies of the AMA. The AMA CEJA position is a volunteer medical association leadership position. All other authors have nothing to disclose. Dr. Shalowitz reports serving as the current Chair of the Committee on Ethics for the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). The views expressed in this manuscript do not necessarily represent the positions of ACOG.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Examples of tiered institutional response to demand on resources during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Example script for discussion of COVID-19 related treatment modification.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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