Personal Preference

personal preference concerns are not protected by the law, nor do they involve direct hand in a life-or-death matter
It is often stipulated that conscience objections are “deeply held” beliefs, signaling that a threshold of severity must be met for a concern to rise to the level of conscience.

Example

You believe that giving patients plastic straws is wrong because you are an environmentalist.
- What should you do?

Apply the CARE Model

click on each letter to learn more

C – recognize the CAUSE of your objection.

Ask yourself:

Is the patient’s request harmful to themselves or others?

Can you live with yourself if you abide by the patient’s wishes?

Personal preferences do not carry heavy moral weight.

A – determine the appropriate ACTIONS

Accommodate: If a health care provider’s objection to a patient’s and/or family’s wishes are based solely on personal preference, a good faith effort should be made to accommodate the patient’s request.

Compromise: In most instances of personal preference, a compromise can be reached that accommodates the patient’s/family’s request without violating the health care provider’s obligations to the patient.

RESPOND to the patient respectfully

In most cases of personal preference it is not necessary or appropriate to discuss the cause of your objection with the patient. It is important to meet the patient’s needs.

E – ENSURE your patient receives the care they need

There are lots of aspects of medical care that challenge us to stretch outside our comfort zone, and to do things that we would prefer not to have to do. In this instance, if plastic straws are what’s available, this is a small accommodation to make to ensure the patient gets what they need.