Isn’t it time for health professionals to shift their focus from preaching politics to promoting peace?

Naomi T. Katz; Merav L. Katz; Nikki R. Adler; Jack Green

doi:10.1071/AH24119

EDITORIAL

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Isn’t it time for health professionals to shift their focus from preaching politics to promoting peace?

Naomi T. Katz

^A ^B ^C ^D ^* , Merav L. Katz ^A , Nikki R. Adler ^E and Jack Green ^B

+ Author Affiliations

- Author Affiliations

^A Alliance Against Antisemitism in Healthcare, Melbourne, Vic., Australia.

^B Australasian Jewish Medical Federation, Melbourne, Vic., Australia.

^C Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Vic., Australia.

^D Australian Academic Alliance Against Antisemitism, Australia.

^E School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Vic., Australia.

^* Correspondence to: ntkatz@student.unimelb.edu.au

Australian Health Review 48(3) 332-333 https://doi.org/10.1071/AH24119

Submitted: 3 April 2024 Accepted: 1 May 2024 Published: 14 May 2024

Abstract

The magnitude of suffering on both the Israeli and Palestinian sides of the current war is beyond comprehension. Political agendas, misinformation and bias related to the conflict are being seen far too frequently in healthcare and medical academia. We believe it is time for healthcare professionals to redirect our attention away from politics and use our medical training to advocate for peace, care, and the welfare of all people, regardless of which side of the conflict they fall into. Politics in the workplace, particularly when disseminated information is divisive and, at times, based on opinion rather than fact, risks significant harm to patients, their families, and healthcare staff, as well as to institutional reputation. If we genuinely care for the well-being of patients and staff, we must lead by example and prevent healthcare systems and medical journals from being hijacked by politics.

Keywords: antisemitism, conflict, cultural safety, ethics, harm, healthcare, politics, war.

References

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