Navigating Patient Treatment Ethics
Navigating Patient Treatment Ethics
(Navigating Patient Treatment Ethics)
Healthcare delimma
Develop a solution to a specific ethical dilemma faced by a health care professional by applying ethical principles. Describe the issues and a possible solution in a 2-3-page text paper.
Must follow all 7 criteria on Rubric
APA Format
Ethical Dilemma: Patient Autonomy vs. Beneficence in Treatment Refusal
Introduction
Healthcare professionals often face challenging ethical dilemmas, especially when a patient’s decisions conflict with medical recommendations. One common scenario involves a patient refusing life-saving treatment, raising questions about autonomy, beneficence, and non-maleficence. This paper explores the ethical tensions in such cases and proposes a solution through an ethical framework.
Description of the Ethical Dilemma
Consider a 68-year-old patient with advanced heart failure who refuses a recommended left ventricular assist device (LVAD) surgery due to personal beliefs. The patient cites concerns about the surgery’s risks and its impact on quality of life. The healthcare team feels conflicted as the surgery could significantly prolong life, but the patient asserts their right to decline.
Ethical Principles at Play
- Autonomy: The patient’s right to make informed decisions about their care.
- Beneficence: The obligation of healthcare providers to act in the patient’s best interest.
- Non-Maleficence: The duty to do no harm, whether through action or inaction.
- Justice: Ensuring fairness in providing resources and care.
Challenges
- Balancing respect for autonomy with the desire to save the patient’s life.
- Navigating cultural, religious, or personal values that influence decision-making.
- Managing emotions among the healthcare team who may feel morally obligated to intervene.
Proposed Solution
The solution involves a multi-step, collaborative approach:
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Establish Open Communication:
- Schedule a meeting with the patient, their family, and the healthcare team.
- Use clear, empathetic language to explain the risks, benefits, and alternatives of the treatment.
- Address emotional and cultural concerns, providing support through interpreters or cultural liaisons if needed.
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Conduct an Ethics Consultation:
- Involve the hospital’s ethics committee to mediate the conflict and provide objective guidance.
- Ensure the committee considers both ethical principles and the patient’s values.
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Reinforce Informed Consent:
- Confirm the patient fully understands the medical implications of their choice.
- Document the patient’s decision-making process thoroughly to protect legal and ethical accountability.
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Offer Palliative Care Alternatives:
- Respect the patient’s decision while ensuring their comfort and dignity.
- Provide psychological support to address fears and improve quality of life.
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Educate the Team:
- Provide training on ethical decision-making and coping with moral distress.
- Encourage team members to express concerns and support each other in a professional setting.
Justification of the Solution
This approach respects the patient’s autonomy while fulfilling the healthcare team’s ethical duties. By promoting transparency, offering alternatives, and involving ethical mediation, the proposed solution minimizes harm and supports a patient-centered care model.
Conclusion
Ethical dilemmas in healthcare require a balance of principles like autonomy, beneficence, and non-maleficence. By fostering communication, involving ethical consultations, and focusing on patient-centered care, healthcare professionals can navigate complex situations while upholding ethical integrity.
References
Ensure you include at least 2-3 credible references formatted in APA style, such as:
- Beauchamp, T. L., & Childress, J. F. (2019). Principles of biomedical ethics (8th ed.). Oxford University Press.
- American Medical Association. (n.d.). AMA Code of Medical Ethics. Retrieved from https://www.ama-assn.org/
- Epstein, E. G., & Delgado, S. (2010). Understanding and addressing moral distress. The Online Journal of Issues in Nursing, 15(3).
