The Benefits and Ethical Considerations of Medical Professionals Unionizing

Abstract

Should Medical Professionals be allowed to Form Unions? One can argue a labor union as a group of two or more employees joining together to advance common job interests. There are many interests within a working context that can drive employees to come together and speak in one voice for the betterment of all workers. Medical professionals are not an exemption from such interests as can join together to advance common interests ranging from benefits, schedules, and wages among other employment terms and conditions of benefit to them as professionals and the betterment of their target audiences "clients". It is through unions that medical professionals can make their working environment safer and dignified as through one voice all can gain fair returns on work through collective bargaining making them remain motivated to serve the patients. According to Howard (2020), it is morally acceptable for medical professionals to unionize and employ collective actions that may include but are not limited to striking as long as such moves remain grounded in the patient’s best interest. However, it is imperative to consider some factors before unionizing to enhance legality as the process becomes hindered by many practical, emotional, and moral obstacles. Some medical professionals though aware of the benefits of collective bargaining power remain reluctant to union arguing that such moves would hamper patient care. However, it is imperative to note that if done ethically, the unionizing mission remains focused on improving patient care. For this reason, a medical professional should consider the goals of the union before joining it to evaluate whether they match its values and improve its services to its target audience. Since actions taken by the union reflect on medical professionals as persons, such an approach may bring mixed reactions from the patients that might view the unionized doctors from a selfish point of view. However, to avoid such encounters and experiences, medical professionals must sacrifice some of their individualities to fit within the demands of the unions and personal values of offering the best to the patients. For instance, a unionized medical practitioner may feel guilty about engaging in a collective action like striking for such a move hinders attendance to patients which might cause more harm than good. However, if such a doctor feels ethically challenged for such collective striking due to oaths to serve the patients regardless, they should be free to come up with other strategies that can affect the employer without rejecting clinical duties like neglecting documentation hampering effective billing and refusing to perform some elective surgeries. Such considerations help the medical professional weigh options and know what...