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Ethical decisions
A case study that includes a scenario that poses an ethical dilemma in nursing
A case study that includes a scenario that poses an ethical dilemma in nursing
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Health Care Ethical Issues In health care, ethical decisions are made on a daily basis. An ethical dilemma can arise at any moment, and it is “imperative that health care professionals learn the ethical principles, the professional code of ethics, and the legal components, in order to be knowledgeable on ethical decision making when dilemmas does arise” (Schaar, 2005). Currently, there are many ethical issues that occur in health care. For example, noncompliance with treatment is just one of the many ethical issues that health care professionals face currently. Patients that is noncompliant with treatment causes challenges for physicians that treat its patients. Within this paper, there will be information discussing noncompliance with treatment. …show more content…
Noncompliance is a major issue in health care and “one of the most important single modifiable factors that may compromise clinical outcomes and effective health-care delivery” (Sciberras, Gregori, & Holt, 2014). Patients that do not follow the recommendations of their physicians are hard to manage, and they tend to present some significant risk management concerns for physicians. In spite of physician’s best efforts to instruct patients, many physicians are dealing with behaviors that show that patients are putting themselves and the physician at risk of not sticking to the treatment that has been prescribed. Patients that are noncompliant is a common cause of patients being injured and could result in a lawsuit. There is not a simple answer to this problem. Some physician’s solutions consist of education and communication between the patients that is noncompliant. With the proper procedures and documentation some physicians may choose to withdraw from caring for patients due to their noncompliance of treatment. For example, over five years ago one of my younger sisters was diagnosed with diabetes. Her sugar levels would go up and down and it was a constant struggle for her. She would not go to all her doctor’s appointments and when treatment was prescribed she would not follow the advice that was given by her physician. Being that she was not adhering to the treatment she would have to make constant trips to the emergency room. The physician decided to prescribe her with insulin pump to help regulate her sugar levels. The insulin pump was small in size and it was not noticeable that she was wearing it. For a couple of months, her sugar levels were steady and all of a sudden the frequent trips to the emergency room started to occur again. We soon found out she removed the insulin pump. When she went back
As population ages, clinicians will care for an increasing number of elderly patients. Just as these patients may present unique and challenging medical dilemmas, so may they also present ethical ones. Ethical dilemmas are present in everyday practice. It provides a brief overview of the situations that may raise ethical concerns. Although, these are not the only ethical concerns that may arise during care of the elderly and are not unique to the population, they represent the most common scenarios that clinicians may encounter in their everyday course of practice. Ethics, according to (Mueller, Hook & Fleming, 2004), is the analysis and identification of the moral problems that arise in the care of patients. Ethical issues on geriatrics: a guide to clinicians (2004) reports that clinicians will care for an increasing number of elderly patients with challenging medical problems.
Healthcare creates unique dilemmas that must consider the common good of every patient. Medical professionals, on a frequent basis, face situations that require complicated, and at times, difficult decision-making. The medical matters they decide on are often sensitive and critical in regards to patient needs and care. In the Case of Marguerite M and the Angiogram, the medical team in both cases were faced with the critical question of which patient gets the necessary medical care when resources are limited. In like manner, when one patient receives the appropriate care at the expense of another, medical professionals face the possibility of liability and litigation. These medical circumstances place a burden on the healthcare professionals to think and act in the best interest of the patient while still considering the ethical and legal issues they may confront as a result of their choices and actions. Medical ethics and law are always evolving as rapid advances in all areas of healthcare take place.
Slosar, J. P. (2004). Ethical decisions in health care. Health Progress. pp. 38-43. Retrieved from http://www.chausa.org/publications/health-progress/article/january-february-2004/ethical-decisions-in-health-care
According to Dr. John Steiner, a researcher at Kaiser Permanente, very few patients are fully capable of complying with all their doctors’ requests and or recommendations. To illustrate his point, he constructed a chart for a theoretical 67-year-old patient with diabetes, hypertension and high blood pressure. He then tabulated what it would take to be “adherent” with all medical recommendations: Five prescriptions to be filled monthly, getting to and from the pharmacy, (assuming he even has insurance), diet (cutting down salt and fats), exercise (three or four times per week), make it to doctors’ appointments, blood tests, check blood sugar, and on top of that, remembering to take the pills every morning and then again every evening eve...
Siegler, M., and W. Winslade. "Ethics in Medicine." Clinical Ethics. By A. R. Jonsen. 7th ed. N.p.:
Patients are ultimately responsible for their own health and wellbeing and should be held responsible for the consequences of their decisions and actions. All people have the right to refuse treatment even where refusal may result in harm to themselves or in their own death and providers are legally bound to respect their decision. If patients cannot decide for themselves, but have previously decided to refuse treatment while still competent, their decision is legally binding. Where a patient's views are not known, the doctor has a responsibility to make a decision, but should consult other healthcare professionals and people close to the patient.
The four major ethical principles in health care are: Autonomy – to honor the patient’s right to make their own decision (the opposite is paternalism - the health care provider knows best for the patient), Beneficence – to help the patient advance his/her own good, Nonmaleficence – to do no harm (many bioethical controversies involves this principle), and Justice – to be fair and treat like cases alike. All 4 principles are considered to be in effect at all times. In theory, each is of equal weight or importance. Ethical responsibilities in a given situation depend in part on the nature of the decision and in part on the roles everyone involved play.
The word ethics is derived from the Greek word ‘ethos’ meaning character or conduct. It is typically used interchangeably with word moral which is derived from the Latin word ‘moves’ which means customs or habits. Ethics refers to conduct, character and motivations involved in moral acts. Ethics are not imposed by a profession, by law but by moral obligation. It is unwritten code of conduct that encompasses both professional conduct and judgement. Ethics helps support autonomy and self-determination, protect the vulnerable and promotes the welfare and equality of human beings. An ethical dentist- patient relationship is based on trust, honesty, confidentiality, privacy and the quality of care.1
Today, there are so many legal dilemmas dominating trial for the courts to make a sound legal decision on whose right in a complicated situation. Despite the outcome of the case, the disagreement usually has a profound effect on the healthcare organization, and the industry as a whole. Many cases are arguments centered around if the issue is a legal or moral principle. Regardless what the situation maybe, the final decision is left to the courts to differentiate between the legality issues at hand opposed to justifying a case based on moral rules. According to Pozgar (2012), an ethical dilemma arises in situations where a choice must be made between unpleasant alternative. It can occur whenever a choice involves giving up something good and suffering something bad, no matter what course of action is taken (p. 367). In this paper, I will discuss cases that arose in the healthcare industry that have been tried and brought to justice by the United States court system.
According to the American College of Preventative Medicine (2011), non-adherence to medications is estimated to cause 125,000 deaths annually and overall, about 20% to 50% of patients are non-adherent to medical therapy. Through my personal experience working in the healthcare field, I have observed an increasing number of patients seemingly detached from the seriousness of their medical diagnoses, as the majority of my patients have taken very little personal responsibility in their own healing and overall health. While these patients have a variety of medical issues, they do share similar characteristics: disengagement from their medical diagnoses and taking the necessary steps towards healing, health and vitality. In my work or in my clinical experiences, I get frustrated when patients are
In critical and complicating medical cases, family members often find it tedious to decide as to what mode or procedure of treatment is idyllic for the recovery of their patient. In such cases, well-qualified and medically educated can play a pivotal role in deciding the kind of treatment that should be given to the patient to enhance its recovery. In a contrary situation a nurse may know that administering a particular drug may improve the patient’s condition, but may be refrained from conducting the required action due to doctor’s absence or non-permission. There are numerous cases through which ethical dilemmas in the profession of nursing can be discussed. Nurses in order to remain within the defined boundaries ...
In this diverse society we are confronted everyday with so many ethical choices in provision of healthcare for individuals. It becomes very difficult to find a guideline that would include a border perspective which might include individual’s beliefs and preference across the world. Due to these controversies, the four principles in biomedical ethic which includes autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence and justice help us understand and explain which medical practices are ethical and acceptable. These principles are not only used to protect the rights of a patient but also the physician from being violated.
Medication non-adherence is an important healthcare challenge that has significant consequences in regards to patient outcomes, attainment of healthcare goals and healthcare costs. Patients are considered non-adherent when they do not initiate or abide by their prescribed healthcare recommendations. The three common types of non-adherence are primary non-adherence, non-persistent and non-conforming. Primary non-adherence occurs when although the healthcare provider has written the prescribed medication, the patient does not initiate the medication therapy. Non-persistent non-adherence occurs primarily due to miscommunication between the healthcare provider and the patient in regards to the recommended healthcare plan. In addition, non-persistent
Physicians are always looking for adherence from patients to make their job easier and less stressful for both parties (Arbuthnott & Sharpe, 2009). Both unintentional nonadherence and intentional nonadherence are occurring in the health care system. Unintentional nonadherence occurs when the patient may want to adhere but is unable to because they lack the resources to. For example, they may not be able to afford the medication, may
A noteworthy explanation behind non adherence is higher patient-doctor harshness prompting to diminished patient satisfaction.35-40 Studies report that 40-60% of patients couldn't accurately report what their doctors expected of them 10-80 minutes after they were furnished with the data. However another review detailed that more than 60% of patients met promptly subsequent to going by their specialists misconstrued the headings in regards to recommended medicines. Non adherence can likewise happen when the solution regimen is perplexing which could incorporate uncalled for timing of medication organization, or organization of various medicines at incessant or abnormal circumstances amid the day. These patient behavioral variables could conceivably be seen by the doctor and results in diminished restorative result. Most deviations in taking pharmaceutical happen as oversight of measurements (instead of increments) or deferrals in the planning of dosages. Patients regularly get to be rebellious for interminable illnesses, similar to hypertension, where they don't have any disagreeable indications even without strict consistence to medicine