Ethical Challenges in Short-Term Global Health Training

As Cheyenne is about to leave, Dr. Siti asks her to take a copy of her resume with her back home. Click image to start video.

CASE 7: Shifting Resources

Vignette 3: Having developed a close relationship over the past several weeks, Dr. Siti makes what could be a reasonable request on behalf of herself and her family: She asks Cheyenne to take a copy of her resume home with her.

What ethical issues does this request bring up?

Select
A broader concern about why trained health care workers move to developed countries.
This is correct. Giving Cheyenne advice on how to respond in this case is difficult. However, connecting this vignette to the broader issue of the migration of the skilled health care workforce from developing into developed countries (the so-called "brain drain") is not. Cheyenne should use this as an opportunity to understand this issue at a personal level.
Select
The need for Cheyenne to act beneficently on behalf of Dr. Siti; she owes this to her.
Taking the resume back to her country might indeed represent a beneficent act. However, that is not the main issue here. Choose a different answer.
Select
The need to maintain appropriate personal distance. If Cheyenne and Dr. Siti had not become close, this would not have happened.
Due to the intensity of short-term programs in global health, developing personal attachments is not only likely but might also be desirable: Doing so can be beneficial for the collaboration. Choose a different answer.
Select
All of the above.
This is incorrect. Only one answer is correct. Choose a different answer.

 

 

© Stanford University Center for Global Health and the Johns Hopkins University Berman Institute of Bioethics.

Project funding provided by Doris Duke Charitable Foundation (DDCF)