Personal Conscience Case Study #1: ENSURE

In a state where sexual orientation is not a legally protected class, a pediatrician objects to treating an infant child with lesbian parents. She is concerned that her deeply held views about homosexuality will compromise her ability to give proper care that fully includes the parents.

Help the provider navigate this scenario using the I CARE Model.

• ENSURE the patient receives the care they need.
  • Ideally, the pediatrician should be the one to provide care for this patient. The doctor should remember that her job is to provide medical care to her patients, regardless of the patient’s/parents’ identities. If the provider, supervisor, and/or ethics committee determine that the baby’s care will suffer because of the provider’s beliefs regarding the parents’ sexual orientation, then it may be best for the provider to respectfully refuse this patient and transfer care to another provider.