The Thin Ethical Line: When Professional Boundaries and Personal Interests Collide--Eighth Annual Pediatric Bioethics Conference

Friday and Saturday, July 27 and 28, 2012 Seattle, Washington

Healthcare providers have professional responsibilities to care for their patients. Yet physicians, nurses, social workers and trainees face daily choices when their professional responsibilities are not congruent with personal interests, beliefs and values. How should providers navigate these boundaries? We will explore these issues as we discuss the ethical concerns that may arise when personal interests and values challenge traditional professional responsibilities.

Can healthcare professionals conscientiously object to providing certain kinds of healthcare services?
Should healthcare providers perform procedures or prescribe medications for their own family members?
Is it ever acceptable for healthcare professionals to lie on behalf of their patients?
Is it OK to ask patients to sign a political petition in the office or hospital setting?
Should healthcare professionals become “friends” with their patients or their patients’ parents on Facebook?
Should healthcare professionals engage with families in non-medical settings or accept gifts or invitations to personal events?

Contact Information

For questions about the conference, please contact Kathie Kohorn at 206-987-5379.

For questions about the Treuman Katz Center for Pediatric Bioethics, please contact Jill Webster at 206-884-8355.