Military Medical Ethics – Scenario Collection

Medical confidentiality and privacy of detainees

Page ID: 63
Last updated: 12 Jun, 2019
Page ID: 63
Last updated: 12 Jun, 2019
Revision: 1
Comments: 0

An insurgent is brought in the field hospital after his capture. His injuries are, at first sight, not life-threatening and he is fully concsious, but he needs some medical care. During the examination, two soldiers arrive in the room with the order to guarantee the safety of the medical personnel.

The doctor asks them to leave the room as long as the examination and treatment go on. The soldiers insist in being present because they consider that the detainee is dangerous.

Source: Adapted from Rochon, Christiane (2014): La bioetique et les conflits armees : la reflexion ethique des medecins militaires (http://hdl.handle.net/1866/12293). Pages 143, 163

Questions for the discussion of this scenario

1. Does the right of detainee to privacy and medical confidentiality trump considerations of the potential danger?

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Page ID: 63
Last updated: 12 Jun, 2019
Revision: 1
Comments: 0
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