Robert Smith Case Study Essay

862 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Medical law and bioethics

The case study involving Dr. Robert Smith and his patients is a very intense, yet gruesome study that involves much analysis. When you first hear about amputating completely healthy limbs, it's deemed as a very bizarre request. For most people with common sense, you would think that people who want to do that are crazy and shouldn't be allowed to. However, looking further into why a person may want that done can change your judgement. In this case regarding Dr. Smith, he was okay with performing operations on his patients no matter how strange the situation was. Although Dr. Smith had already done two procedures, he was stopped from doing a third amputation from the hospital board. I believe that the hospital board was not morally justified in their decision to refuse permission for Dr. Smith to perform a third amputation for several reasons involving bioethics. First of all, people that want to have amputations are not always as psychotic as they may seem. To begin with, there is an actual disorder for people who feel like they want to get rid of their limbs. Body Integrity Identity Disorder (BIID) is a psychological disorder where a healthy individual feels that they are meant to be disabled (1). People with BIID are normal …show more content…

The principle of nonmaleficence is for doctors to have the duty not to harm (4). Those who oppose may say that doing good, like beneficence, which is when doctors should act in a way that is most beneficial to their patient (5), isn't actually “good” or beneficial because you are intentionally creating havoc or harm in the end by hurting the person. I would say that although it is true that doctors would be harming their patients by doing procedures, they are not intentionally causing the harm. Dr. Smith was doing this out of his best interest and was asked to do his procedures by the people themselves and in the end it made them feel

Show More
Related

  • Medical Paternalism Analysis

    780 Words  | 2 Pages

    While Goldman’s argument provides excellent moral reasoning from a patient’s standpoint of view, it fails to fully detail the reasoning of paternalism from a medical professional’s standpoint. I agree that patient autonomy should be a priority and respected by medical professionals, but there are many cases that patients are not always able to make autonomous decisions. Conflict occurs for medical professionals when a state of equipoise in effect. Usually there is a question of what is best for the patient and whether or not to respect a patient’s autonomy. Is the patient fully aware of their condition and the risks of procedures? Is the treatment worth the pain and suffering of the patient in the long run? I do not believe that patient autonomy is one hundred percent more important than the treatments that could or is known to cure or extend a patient

    Read More

  • Poem Analysis: The Case By Tim Seibles

    1038 Words  | 3 Pages

    In Tim Seibles' poem, The Case, he reviews the problematic situations of how white people are naturally born with an unfair privilege. Throughout the poem, he goes into detail about how colored people become uncomfortable when they realize that their skin color is different. Not only does it affect them in an everyday aspect, but also in emotional ways as well. He starts off with stating how white people are beautiful and continues on with how people enjoy their presence. Then he transitions into how people of color actually feel when they encounter a white person. After, he ends with the accusation of the white people in today's world that are still racist and hateful towards people of color.

    Read More

  • Negative Critique on Alan Goldman's View on Medical Paternalism

    1459 Words  | 3 Pages

    In the realm of medical ethics, there are many topics that are debated and discussed, but there is not necessarily one clear, correct answer. One of these topics is paternalism. Many questions are bandied back and forth: is it beneficial, should it be disallowed entirely, are there instances when paternalism is good and beneficial, and the list goes on. For each of these questions there have been authors who have provided their comments. One such author is Alan Goldman. He draws a very firm line on paternalism, simply put: medical paternalism is deleterious to a patient because it intrudes on their primary rights of liberty and autonomy. This paper is going to expound upon Goldman’s viewpoint in detail, going through point by point how he presents his argument. There will then be a critique of Goldman’s viewpoint that will counter his main points. The counterpoints will show Goldman’s views on paternalism are incorrect and should not be considered valid.

    Read More

  • People V Smith Case Analysis

    860 Words  | 2 Pages

    In order to highlight all aspects of People v. Smith, 470 NW2d 70, Michigan Supreme Court (1991) we must first discuss the initial findings of the Michigan Court of Appeals. The Court of Appeals decision was based on the precedence of two similar court cases that created discussion concerning the admission of juvenile records into adult trials. Following the Court of Appeals, the Michigan Supreme Court entered the final decision on Ricky Smith’s motion for resentencing. The Michigan Supreme Court also conducted a thorough examination of People v. Jones, People v. McFarlin, and People v. Price to determine the outcome of Smith’s motion to be resentenced.

    Read More

  • Case Study Peter Dickinson Case

    1004 Words  | 3 Pages

    All diseases and disorders are categorized by a set of symptoms, or signs that are indicative of certain diseases or disorders. Thus, symptoms are important when diagnosing a person. They serve as a communication tool between the clinical psychologist and the client. When detecting symptoms of a person, it allows the clinician to understand the client’s physical, emotional, and mental discomforts. Using the symptoms reported by the client, the clinician can then determine what the client’s clinical diagnosis is.

    Read More

  • Adam Smith Essay

    847 Words  | 2 Pages

    Adam Smith was a man of many achievements. As a Scottish philosopher and political economist he became famous by his classical and influential books. In 1759 he wrote a book called “The Theory of Mortal Sentiments”and in 1775 he wrote another called “An Inquiry to the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations”. Known as the “father of modern economics” Adam Smith has greatly influenced society. Adam Smith’s history impacted the way that our society is today. Adam’s childhood, environment, education and events throughout his life contributed to the way that we view society. With Adam’s theories and great works he molded a pathway to different stand points on the public and its society. Among his great works are the wealth of nations and inquiry to the nature and causes of the wealth of nations alongside the theory Adam named the invisible hand. Adam also thought about the public from an economic and political stand point. Due to factors that influenced Adam’s early life, he was able to learn from those before him to become the great economist, politician, and philosopher that he was. This way, even though Adam Smith lived during the time of the scientific revolution his words of wisdom in politics and the economy are still used today in the public.

    Read More

  • Birth Control Case Study

    1030 Words  | 3 Pages

    Beneficence: a physician should be doing what is in the best interest of the patient

    Read More

  • Adam Smith Essay

    1020 Words  | 3 Pages

    “It is not from the benevolence of the butcher, the brewer, or the baker, that we expect our dinner, but from their regard to their own interest.” This is a quote from the book Wealth of Nations, which Adam Smith wrote, addresses well about why and what reason people work for. The butcher, the brewer, or the baker does not cut, stir, or bake because they want to please the customer or to feed the poor, but to earn money and for their own happiness. Adam Smith, who fully understood the concepts of capitalism and free market system, became one of the most well respected economists throughout the world. Smith became famous because of his philosophy of economics. Because of his thoughts on economics, today he is well known as the “father of economics.”

    Read More

  • Exploring Ethical Principles in Healthcare

    1239 Words  | 3 Pages

    This procedure would have been of no benefit to the patient so the principle beneficence was not followed. The new doctor at the practice brought to the other doctors’ attention that this procedure was outrageous and would be of no good to the patient or the family. After consideration the other doctors realized they were too emotionally attached to deny the patient of her wish, so they needed to tell her the procedure was canceled. And this is where paternalism comes into play. Paternalism is when a doctor has to put a foot down when a patient is demanding a procedure that is more harmful to them than good (the patient just can’t see it). Doctors are always in the best interest for the patient expect for when paternalism is involved. Sometimes even though a patient is proven mentally competent a doctor has to do what they feel is the right thing to do for the patient even if is overruling the patients decisions. A way to of having benefited the cancer patients of having a baby possibly could have been just taking her to visit some babies to get the feel of what it could be like to be a mothers not actually giving her one of her own to be raised without a mother. Nonmaleficence is a principle that assures a procedure or decision is doing no harm to the

    Read More

  • A Brief Biography of John Smith

    810 Words  | 2 Pages

    John Smith played many key roles in the colonies, which made him a very important person in colonial times. He was a very important person in colonial times because of his amount of perseverance in hard situations and not giving in to whatever it might have been he was doing. Also John Smith had fantastic leadership abilities that saved the colonies he was leading from numerous catastrophes. In addition to that, his relationship with the indians greatly benefited the colonists and saved them on more than one occasion.

    Read More

  • The Importance Of Autonomy In Health Care

    968 Words  | 2 Pages

    In the scenario the decision made by the RN and the paramedics have breached the respect of autonomy of Elsie and failed to respect the decision made by Elsie. Megan-Janes 20.. implifies that people have the right and are to free to choose and act on their choices provided that their decision and act doesn’t impinge on moral interest of other people. Likewise Elsie’s choice to not to get advance treatment was of no harm to any other people rather than herself. In health settings Principle of Autonomy protests the patients right to be respected as dignified human being capable of making decision what is right for them even if everyone thinks that it is not right( ).In short health professionals must allow patient to participate in the decision making when it comes to their care and treatment. Furthermore (Harris 2011) have explained that it is very vital to respect patient’s autonomus decision to refuse intervention which is based on the principle of autonomy. Furthermore, in the scenario where the pressure of patient’s autonomy is in line, the argument depends on other moral principles( ).In this says Principle of non-maleficence gives justification. The Principle of non-maleficence says above all do no harm which means not to injure others or harm them ( ). Likewise , the RN and the Paramedics in the scenario had no intention of doing any harm to Elsie rather than saving her life. ( ) suggested that in nursing context the principle of non-maleficence would provide justification for performing any act which unfairly injures or makes a person to suffer which was avoidable. This will explain why the health professionals performed those acts despite the protest of Elsie which resulted in death of Elsie. Principle of Beneficence is another moral principle which defends against the principle of

    Read More

  • The Four Principles in Biomedical Ethics

    1549 Words  | 4 Pages

    ..., beneficence, non-maleficence and justice help us understand and explain which medical practices are ethical and adequate. These principles are used to protect the rights of a patient and the physician from being dishonored. The principle autonomy allow an individual to act freely in accordance to their self-chosen plan. This means that healthcare providers must always get the patients consent before making any decision about patient’s life. The of non-maleficence states one must cause no harm to an individual. This means that we must always restrain from harming others. The principle of beneficences say that one must always promote good. This means that healthcare providers must always do what is good for the patient. Lastly the principle of justice promote fairness and equally. This mean that healthcare providers cannot act in a prejudice manner toward patients.

    Read More

  • Using Force In The Use Of Force

    1142 Words  | 3 Pages

    Doctors have to go through many years of studying and many more hours of practicing on people. These qualities make any doctor seem god-like to the eyes of everyday people. Doctors are trusted blindly and people are led to believe that doctors are always honest. In the story, The Use of Force by William Carlos Williams, the parents of Matilda question the tactics the doctor is using to properly diagnose the girl but trust that the doctor knows what he is doing and lets him use force anyway. These cases are seen all over the world as well. There have been many reported cases of doctors using force to allow patients to get treated. Some patients however, do not wish to be treated because of things like religion or preference or other reasons but doctors still treat them in order to save them from themselves. The power struggle creates anger and resentment from both parties and blurs the line between personal rights and saving lives. In an article written by Jessica Grose, doctors force a woman to have a C-Section because they believe it was in the baby’s best interest. However, the woman did not want to have the surgery performed. This led to the doctors threatening to sue the woman for possible child endangerment. The woman, in fear of possibly killing her child, sided with the health care providers even though personally she did not want to have the surgery performed. This

    Read More

  • Oncology Case Study Essay

    794 Words  | 2 Pages

    I think that both issues could have resulted in patient harm, even if that was not the intended action. The results in this case deals with beneficence and nonmaleficence. This is the basic duty of a health care professional: to do good and avoid harm. Both of which were violated in this case. I feel that Dr. Strunk realized that the hospital’s policy was violated his morals and code of ethics. I believe that the hospital’s administration only looked out for themselves. Although no visible harm was done to the patient, the best course of action was to inform the patient of the mistake. One could argue no harm, no foul, but I believe that the hospital should consider the patient’s overall well-being. If the patient found out about the error down the road, the hospital may be in even more trouble.

    Read More

  • Bioethical Principles

    850 Words  | 2 Pages

    Health care providers are faced with bioethical issues every day when caring for a wide variety of patients. Bioethical principles are outlined in order to help these professionals provide the best possible care for their clients. The first principle focuses on the autonomy of individuals. This is the foundation of “informed consent” that is required before performing any medical care on a patient. The patient must completely understand the benefits and risks associated with any medical acts and make their own decision. The second principle states that no intentional harm or injury to the patient can result from the medical decision. This principle of nonmaleficence helps set standards of care to prevent wrongdoing. Beneficence is the third bioethical principle that states that it is the responsibility of the health care provider to benefit the patient. The fourth bioethical principle refers to justice and that each patient is treated with fairness. Every patient is entitled to impartial medical care to ensure the appropriate distribution of goods and services (McCormick, 2013). These bioethical principles help guide health care professionals when making difficult decisions related to controversial topics and practices.

    Read More

More about Robert Smith Case Study Essay

Open Document