In a recent interview with NBC News, surgeon Apoorva Ramaswamy and her husband Vivek Ramaswamy expressed differing opinions regarding the COVID-19 vaccine. While Vivek regrets taking the vaccine, Apoorva has no regrets and emphasizes the importance of patient care and autonomy in her decision.
Apoorva, a laryngologist at Ohio State University, explained that her decision to get vaccinated was based on her responsibility to her patients, particularly those who are cancer survivors. She believes that as a healthcare provider, it is important to protect her patients and their trust in her abilities. However, Vivek, who considers himself a healthy young male, stated on a podcast that he would not have chosen to get vaccinated if he had known what he knows now.
Apoorva highlighted the importance of patient autonomy in her practice. She believes in presenting her patients with the facts, benefits, and risks of various treatments, and ultimately leaving the decision up to them. She stated, “The most important thing for me as a surgeon, when I think about recommending things to my patients is their autonomy. This is what we know about this … this is what I think are the benefits. And these are what we know are the risks, and this is what we don’t know.”
Vivek has been vocal about his opposition to vaccine mandates and government misinformation surrounding the vaccines. He believes that the U.S. government did not provide accurate information about the vaccines before they were mandated. He has also criticized Dr. Anthony Fauci, a top medical adviser, for his decisions during the pandemic.
Despite their differing views on the vaccine, the couple emphasizes that they are aligned on what matters most. They have a mutual understanding that disagreements are a natural part of life and that individual autonomy should be respected. In the end, their focus remains on providing the best care for their patients while honoring their patients’ right to make their own healthcare decisions.
Definitions:
– COVID-19 vaccine: A vaccine developed to provide immunity against COVID-19, a respiratory illness caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
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