When Duty Calls in Multiple Directions: Assessing Conflicting Responsibilities of Healthcare Workers Facing Contagious Diseases

Abstract

Healthcare professionals who supervise patients with contagious diseases frequently encounter ethical dilemmas that arise from their obligations to their families, personal safety, and their obligations to patients. Using a structured framework that has been derived from empirical research, this study evaluates these competing responsibilities. A 28-item tool was administered to a diverse group of healthcare workers, enabling a comprehensive understanding of the experience and management of conflicting obligations. Key psychological and institutional dimensions that influence ethical decision-making and personal well-being in the healthcare context are resilient accountability, perceived occupational health risk, adaptive self-regulation, work-life balance support, and ethical governance and compliance. This research makes a valuable contribution to the development of support systems for healthcare professionals, the formulation of ethical policies, and the development of mental health intervention strategies.