Question

Dr. McHale is a board-certified psychiatrist who is a lieutenant in the Army. He has recently been assigned to Afghanistan. In his role there he is asked to sit for interrogations of enemy combatants. A military policy states that a "behavioral science consultant" may not be a "medical monitor during interrogation" and suggests that this is a "health care function:' However, it appears to authorize monitoring as part of consultants' intelligence functions, since "physicians may protect interrogatees if, by monitoring, they prevent coercive interrogations".During an interrogation, Dr. McHale begins to become concerned about the mental health of prisoner who appears to be close to giving information that would clearly be useful. Is Dr. McHale able to act as a physician in this role? Should health care providers be used in areas of military intelligence?

Answer 1

Dr. McHale faces a conflict between his medical ethics and military obligations when asked to monitor interrogations for intelligence purposes. Historically, the ethical use of medical knowledge in military intelligence has been debated, especially considering human rights and professional standards. Physicians like Dr. McHale are ethically compelled to prioritize the well-being of individuals over military directives.

Step-by-step explanation:

The ethical dilemma facing Dr. McHale revolves around the dual roles of military professionals who also hold health-care specific obligations, such as physicians. The military policy acknowledges the tension between intelligence gathering and the ethical responsibilities of physicians. The role of a 'behavioral science consultant' during interrogations, particularly when it involves elements that may lead to coercion, has been a subject of debate among medical professionals and ethicists.

The question of whether a doctor should use medical knowledge to assist the military or government in designing physical or mental techniques for interrogating prisoners of war touches upon human rights, ethical practice, and professional standards. Dr. McHale, being a board-certified psychiatrist, faces a conflict between his military duties and his obligations as a healthcare provider. In such a position, he is ethically bound to prioritize the mental health and well-being of the prisoner over the intelligence-gathering objectives, in accordance with medical ethics which emphasize 'do no harm.'

Debates around the use of military intelligence have been ongoing since the Vietnam War, and the approach to mental health in the military has evolved significantly since then. Issues pertaining to the treatment of 'unlawful combatants' and the ethical boundaries for military physicians in interrogation settings reflect these ongoing concerns.

Answer 2

Step-by-step explanation:

The taken part of Dr McHale in the process of interrogation did mean that the Dr is exhibiting or carrying out his work as a physician.

This is because his ability to guide against the mental health of the prisoner is actually part of his work as a physician.