At a session of the AFS MedEx program, AFS students and doctors discussed the ethical dilemmas physicians can face when treating their patients. MedEx is a yearlong group-mentoring program, providing students with the opportunity to explore what doctors do, how they think and what they face daily in their profession.

During the session on medical ethics, the five sophomores and three doctors used case studies to delve into complex problems and debate the merits of different responses. Is it okay for a doctor to insist that the children in his practice receive vaccinations? What are the ripple effects when a doctor sets up a boutique practice, and charges extra for medical care that is more extensive than most patients receive? What are the rights of the individual versus the rights of the community? With these questions and more, the students participating in the program on Monday night learned how to the apply principles of medical ethics, such as autonomy and justice, as they sifted through possible answers.