Of professionalism and health care strikes

Abstract

Strike action is by no means an unfamiliar situation in the South African context. However, health care strikes are now emerging as a highly controversial topic. Current teaching of medical students does not adequately cover this unique ethical dilemma facing health care professionals. Only with a broader understanding of the subject can medical students’ future decisions on the matter be informed and based on the ethical principles governing the medical profession. I attempt to explore the issues surrounding health care strikes and assess whether or not this is compatible with true medical professionalism in the 21st century.