Science and Emotion

Question 1

F: Objectivity to prevent bias

Answer 1

Science must remain objective as a vested interest can skew the results of an experiment
Especially with subjective measurements, personal bias could influence experiment conclusions
Example: Andrew Wakefield and the MMR vaccine
Investigated side effects and potential association with autism
The investigation was funded by parents whose children had autism and a law firm suing the MMR vaccine company. The flawed, small study had wide-reaching effects - which are still seen in measles outbreaks today
Mitigate bias:
Single-blind: the patient does not know what treatment they are receiving
Double-blind: doctor and patients are unaware of group allocation

Question 2

F: JUSTICE

Answer 2

Justice: must treat patients based on medical need, not affection levels
Transplant list: very specific criteria used for organ transplantation. Need to make an objective assessment of a patient’s needs and the presence of contraindications - alcohol use, drug use, compliance, psychiatric
If you are dishonest in your assessment (or biased) affection for one patient could cause harm to another

Question 3

F: EMOTIONAL INVESTMENT

Answer 3

Separate personal emotions from clinical treatment and decision making
A doctor may hold different religious or moral beliefs to a patient, but they should still provide the optimal care for that patient
A catholic doctor may choose to abstain from contraception, but could still provide it for their patients
Emotions can cloud clinical judgment and decision making
Example:
Doctors are not allowed to treat family members or friends
Could not be objective - may feel emotional pressure or debt to close relatives/friends
Example:
A poor outcome for one patient, should not change objective decision making for the next.
15-week amniocentesis: 1% risk of miscarriage
If one patient suffers a miscarriage, must remain objective, still recommend to the next
→ evidence-based medicine, objective decision making based on fact.
Emotional investment in a patient’s care may make it harder for the doctor

Question 4

A: EMPATHY

Answer 4

Doctors are given as examples of scientists
Empathy and compassion are crucial: help build the doctor-patient relationship
This leads to a better standard of care and more patient-focused decision making
Allows for disclosures about true concerns or symptoms needed to make a diagnosis
Emotional intelligence is particularly important in consultations regarding mental health
Patient in a vulnerable state: needs sensitive support and discussions.
Important to understand the balance between physical and mental health

Question 5

A: ETHICS

Answer 5

Emotional awareness required to consider the impact of an investigation: ethical evaluations
E.g. human cloning, embryonic testing
Animal testing
Emotions → investment and passion in work → progress
Scientists pursue their careers due to enjoyment in the field and special interests - provides motivation and encourages perseverance and effort to finds answers to hypotheses
Curiosity: scientists need a reason to conduct experiments.