Towards conjoint solidarity in healthcare. (30th August 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: O'Neill, Jennifer
• Other Names: Ravitsky Vardit guestEditor.; Eckenwiler Lisa guestEditor.; Schmidt Harald guestEditor.
• Is Part Of: Bioethics. Volume 36:Number 5(2022)
• Page Start: 535
• Page End: 546
• Publication Date: 2021-08-30
• Subjects: autonomy -- healthcare -- solidarity; Bioethics -- Periodicals; 174.957
• DOI: 10.1111/bioe.12940
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0269-9702

Abstract

Abstract: Solidarity remains an ambiguous concept despite the long political tradition pertaining to concepts of fraternity, togetherness and collective values or goals. In healthcare ethics, it has been under‐explored, perhaps due to the perception that it opposes individual autonomy. However, even where autonomy is interpreted as a liberal construct, the solidaristic act may be borne out of free choice, rather than stand in opposition to it. To complement the existing scholarship, the concept of 'conjoint solidarity' in healthcare is proposed. Conjoint solidarity may be defined as 'the shared goal of all healthcare stakeholders (encapsulating all healthcare practitioners and service users) to accept or adopt a duty to assist one another to achieve improved healthcare outcomes'. The practical application of both medical autonomy and conjoint solidarity is through the process of shared decision making. An epistemic approach may be applied to 'pool information' from healthcare practitioners and patients to determine what improved healthcare outcomes are. This collective approach may also serve to address healthcare issues such exclusion, othering, paternalism and conflict of interest. Furthermore, in extending this relational approach to justice, consideration may be given to how improved healthcare may be attained in a manner that allows patients to also play their part. To this end, medical autonomy, conjoint solidarity and relational distributive justice may be considered interdependent constructs, which, when fully utilized, may help improve healthcare.