Recommendations from the Code of Ethics for the New Zealand Medical Profession.
- It is recognised that certain extreme circumstances may lead to consideration of industrial action by doctors. Such action may compromise care to individual patients, which is contrary to one of the ethical principles, so a decision to take industrial action must be based on a reasonable expectation that the desired outcome will result in improved patient care and safety. A doctor’s primary duty is to their patient, but the secondary duty to all other patients may mean that action has to be considered. In the case of industrial action, doctors should take care to minimise any detrimental effect on patient care. Services to preserve life and prevent permanent disability must always be provided. Self interest alone, by individuals or the profession, is not an ethical basis on which to take action.