Physicians Role In Interrogations

In the wake of terrorist activity around the world and threats of violence at home, the role of interrogation and torture has become a hot button issue in both domestic and global politics. In many interrogation procedures, interrogators have enlisted the help of physicians to provide support in caring for prisoners and assistance in extracting information. Yet, defining the role of physicians in the interrogation of prisoners is controversial. In the interrogation process, physicians are often confronted with competing loyalties of patriotism and ethical medical behavior. Yet, despite the duties that physicians have to their countries, physicians have a higher duty to follow the Hippocratic oath and to do no harm. Although Physicians have competing loyalties of patriotism and ethical medical behavior, physicians role in the …show more content…
In their Code of Medical Ethics, the American Medical Association, outlines the physician’s “standards of conduct which define the essentials of honorable behavior” (AMA). According to the AMA, “A physician shall be dedicated to providing competent medical care, with compassion and respect for human dignity and rights…shall respect the rights of patients, [and] safeguard patient confidences and privacy within the constraints of the law.” To observe this duty, physicians are obligated to fulfill their role to care for patients in all situations. To do this, physicians must build a relationship with their patients. The AMA defines this “physician-patient relationship” as a “moral activity” which “is based on trust.” This relationship “gives rise to physicians’ ethical obligations to place patients’ welfare above their own self-interest and above obligations to other groups.” This relationship allows physicians to maintain their professional duties and “to advocate for their patients’