Title |
How Should Clinicians Weigh the Benefits and Harms of Discussing Politicized Topics that Influence Their Individual Patients’ Health?
|
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Published in |
The AMA Journal of Ethic, December 2017
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DOI | 10.1001/journalofethics.2017.19.12.ecas3-1712 |
Pubmed ID | |
Authors |
Diana Alame, Robert D Truog |
Abstract |
Health implications of politically charged phenomena are particularly difficult for physicians to discuss with their patients and communities. Addressing climate change and its associated health effects involves trade-offs between health and economic prosperity, necessitating that physicians weigh the potential benefits and risks of discussing climate change health effects. We argue that the potential benefits of physician communication and advocacy ultimately outweigh the potential risks. Therefore, physicians should be supported in their efforts to educate their patients and communities about climate change health effects. Furthermore, democratic deliberation could prove helpful in addressing disagreements among physicians within a practice about such politicized health topics. |
X Demographics
Geographical breakdown
Country | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
United States | 8 | 36% |
Canada | 2 | 9% |
Mexico | 1 | 5% |
South Africa | 1 | 5% |
Unknown | 10 | 45% |
Demographic breakdown
Type | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
Members of the public | 11 | 50% |
Scientists | 6 | 27% |
Practitioners (doctors, other healthcare professionals) | 4 | 18% |
Unknown | 1 | 5% |
Mendeley readers
Geographical breakdown
Country | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
Unknown | 19 | 100% |
Demographic breakdown
Readers by professional status | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
Other | 3 | 16% |
Student > Bachelor | 2 | 11% |
Student > Ph. D. Student | 2 | 11% |
Student > Master | 2 | 11% |
Professor | 1 | 5% |
Other | 2 | 11% |
Unknown | 7 | 37% |
Readers by discipline | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
Medicine and Dentistry | 3 | 16% |
Engineering | 2 | 11% |
Social Sciences | 2 | 11% |
Environmental Science | 1 | 5% |
Psychology | 1 | 5% |
Other | 3 | 16% |
Unknown | 7 | 37% |