How can we resolve the tensions between concerns for the welfare of all in the community and concerns for individual patient care? Do you see tensions in resource allocation?
This is a very hard topic. Modern medicine is expensive and particular/personal patient interest doesn't align with population interest because one treatment can be worth 100 education kits for kids. Practitioner shouldn't be part of the decision of the acceptance of the costs of a treatment. I believe my responsibility on this topic relies on using what is needed and not extra only for curiosity or other reasons.
This is a complex issue without a singular correct answer. If it were up to me, I am always prioritizing my patient first, but always only up to the point where it would never impact the care of other patients. Again though, this is subjective so I believe a physician's autonomy should be respected and that ultimately not all decisions will be agreed with. As long as this principle is adhered to, I believe then it can at the very least be a satisfactory compromise for welfare of individuals and community. Naturally, this will lead to tensions and perhaps highly specific policies can be designed to help guide physicians towards making what is the best decision for their patient while also properly considering the community.
Tensions between individual patient care and community welfare arise when limited resources must be allocated fairly, often forcing difficult choices between personal advocacy and population benefit. These tensions can be addressed through transparent, evidence-based guidelines and ethical frameworks that balance justice, beneficence, and clinical judgment.
