Decision-making and ethical dilemmas experienced by hospital physicians during the COVID-19 pandemic in the Czech Republic.

ABSTRACT:

Background

During the COVID-19 pandemic, global healthcare systems faced unprecedented challenges, with a lack of resources and suboptimal patient care emerging as primary concerns.

Methods

Our research, using a comprehensive 24-item electronic questionnaire, "Reflections on the Provision of Healthcare during the COVID-19 Pandemic," delved into the experiences of 938 physicians across the Czech Republic.

Results

Over fifty per cent observed a "lower standard of care" compared to pre-pandemic levels. A division arose among physicians regarding a decision's medical, ethical, or legal basis, with a notable gender disparity: male doctors leaned towards medical perspectives, whereas females accented the ethical perspective. Decision-making concerning health care limitation

SUBMITTER: Tietzova I 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11619269 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature