Principles of ethics and critical communication during the COVID-19 pandemic

Gynecol Oncol. 2020 Sep;158(3):526-530. doi: 10.1016/j.ygyno.2020.06.494. Epub 2020 Jun 25.

¹ Section on Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, United States of America. Electronic address: [email protected].
² Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Colorado, Denver, CO, United States of America.
³ Section of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, United States of America.
⁴ Division of Gynecologic Oncology, University Hospitals Medical Center, Beachwood, OH, United States of America.
⁵ Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Texas Oncology, Baylor University Medical Center, Dallas, TX, United States of America.

Abstract

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During the COVID-19 pandemic, the primary clinical emphasis has shifted to optimizing community health.
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Scarce resources should be allocated to maximize benefit without unfairly affecting any group.
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Healthcare systems should consider adopting a formal, tier-based response to COVID-19 related demand on resources.
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Clinicians should use principles of high-stakes communication to guide care planning during the pandemic.