Ethical Dilemma Investigative Brief
Overview
Health care administrators often face ethical dilemmas and the need to make challenging decisions in their work. It is crucial for them to comprehend the connections and differences between ethical behaviors and legal issues. Ethics committees within healthcare institutions play a central part in safeguarding patients’ rights and protecting the organization and its staff.
Imagine yourself as a health care administrator in a large medical center. You have been assigned to present a paper at a professional conference focusing on medical ethics and caregiver-patient interactions. Your task is to write an investigative brief, examining a significant ethical dilemma between a physician and a patient in a medical setting, defending the decisions and conclusions made.
Preparation
Refer to the linked resource below, which presents various ethical case studies involving patients, families, and the interdisciplinary team. Choose a scenario from this resource or select a case from another source of your choice.
Medical Ethics and Physician-Patient Encounters: Case Studies and Best PracticesLinks to an external site..
Instructions
Prepare a 3-5-page brief in which you:
Present a brief from the perspective of a lead administrator addressing the ethical dilemma involving a caregiver-patient interaction discussed in the chosen case study.
Apply ethical and moral theories to the chosen case study.
Identify the ethical concerns and potential outcomes associated with the selected case study.
Propose a solution to address and resolve the ethical issues raised in the selected dilemma, providing a well-supported ethical justification.
Sample Answer
Investigative Brief: Addressing Ethical Dilemmas in Physician-Patient Interactions
To: Professional Conference on Medical Ethics From: [Your Name], Lead Administrator, [Medical Center Name] Date: [Current Date] Subject: Resolving Ethical Conflicts: A Case Study Analysis
Executive Summary:
This brief examines the ethical dilemma presented in the case study of [Choose a case from the provided resource or another source. For this example, I will use “Case 3: The Refusal of Life-Saving Treatment”], where a competent adult patient refuses life-saving treatment due to personal beliefs. This brief will analyze the ethical concerns, apply relevant ethical theories, identify potential outcomes, and propose a solution with ethical justification.
Case Presentation:
In Case 3, a 65-year-old patient, Mr. Smith, is admitted to our medical center with acute respiratory failure. Physicians determine that mechanical ventilation is necessary to save his life. However, Mr. Smith, a devout member of a religious group, refuses the treatment, citing his belief that artificial life support violates his faith. Despite extensive counseling and explanations of the potential consequences, Mr. Smith remains adamant in his refusal.
Ethical and Moral Theories Applied:
- Autonomy: This principle emphasizes the patient’s right to self-determination and informed decision-making. Mr. Smith’s refusal, despite understanding the risks, reflects his autonomous choice.
- Beneficence: This principle obligates healthcare professionals to act in the patient’s best interest. In this case, physicians believe mechanical ventilation is in Mr. Smith’s best medical interest.
- Non-maleficence: This principle requires healthcare professionals to avoid causing harm. Refusing treatment could lead to Mr. Smith’s death, which could be considered harm.
- Justice: This principle requires fairness and equitable distribution of resources. While not directly relevant to the patient’s refusal, it underscores the need to treat all patients with respect and dignity.
- Deontology (Kant’s Categorical Imperative): This theory emphasizes adherence to moral duties and rules. In this case, respecting patient autonomy is a moral duty.
- Utilitarianism: This theory focuses on maximizing overall well-being. From a purely utilitarian perspective, saving Mr. Smith’s life might be considered the best outcome. However, it disregards his personal beliefs and autonomy.
Ethical Concerns and Potential Outcomes: