As a licensed professional, all medical professionals have an obligation to service the public. Like the case of pandemic diseases like Covid-19, they might be forced to make sacrifices that override their personal and financial gain. However, I do not believe that doctors have a duty to sacrifice their personal interest because of the public goods every time. But it is under one condition of not abusing their power because doctors’ can yield influence on patient life and death. An example of power abuse recently happened in Korea. Under the name of the block government’s attempt to increase student admission quota of medical school, many doctors participated in the protest. This collective action led to the shortage of staff and timely treatment. Some hospitals forced non-urgent, less complicated patients to no longer be treated at care facilities and resulted in once in a lifetime health crisis. Accordingly, doctors can seek profits, but it is also crucial to strike a balance.

Thank you for this Alice!