Medical Ethics
Terrance Ackerman, in his article Why Doctors Should Intervene, presents some of the complicated affective influences that enter into the doctor -- patient relationship when a patient is facing a life threatening situation. Patient autonomy has been the watchword of the medical community. Serving as the Magna Charta by which doctors have operated in their associations with terminal patients, honoring patient autonomy has been the guidelines by which doctors set limits on their involvement in patients lives. However, Ackerman makes a significant argument regarding conditions under which patient autonomy and a policy of non-interference are not sufficiently broad enough to address the real needs of the patient. The effects of the illness, he says, can create distortions in the patient's ability to make autonomous decisions. In this case, according to Ackerman, the doctor should position himself to actively engage the patient, and influence a different course of action than what the patient requests.
Ackerman defines patient autonomy as a policy which has helped formulate a number of patient rights. The right to refuse treatment is one of the key choices which should lie in the patient's control. Patient autonomy has given rise to the right to give informed consent to the doctor / medical staff prior to receiving treatment, and the right to receive competition medical care. These rights have been used to form a larger understanding of the policy of non-interference by the doctor and staff once a patient has made his or her decision. Once a patient has expressed his or her desires, the medical staff, in order to honor the patient's autonomy, is required to take a step back, and allow the patient to have control over their own lives.
This dynamic and often ethically challenging situation can place the medical staff in a position in which they must relinquish their own control over a situation, even if they...
Medical Ethics Ethics is a topic that is nearly as old as the human race. Ethics is sometimes referred to a branch of philosophy called moral philosophy. Ethics is often conceptualized as a code or a system meant to categorize or otherwise classify as well as recommend behavior that is right and behavior that is wrong. Ethical codes often describe what right and wrong is in general as well. The practice
Medical Ethics Ethics Interview Medical Ethics Interview Healthcare providers include nurses, doctors, social workers and a number of other professions that seem to exist on the periphery of the helping field. One of those on the outside, that many do not consider when looking at the healthcare profession, are professional counselors. Since the term "counselor" has been diluted by everyone from friends to lawyers, it is unclear what one is talking about when
Medical Ethics How does the study of medical ethics impact decisions in social services & healthcare? In the peer-reviewed Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare, Professor Paul Adams explains that social work ethics "…focuses on the behavior required or expected of members of a profession," and like ethical principles in the medical profession, there are "…rules, obligations, and dilemmas" to confront in social work (Adams, 2009, p. 83). By studying medical
In 2004, Arizona's Proposition 200 wanted state and local governments to verify the identity and immigration status of all applicants for certain public benefits, and to require government employees to report violations (Wood pp). Attitudes about the problem have hardened in recent years in some states, both out of concern about the economic impact, particularly in a time of slow job growth, and out of concern about the security threat
If a person is incapacitated, the family should be allowed to make whatever decision they feel will cause the least harm. All such decisions should be underlined with full consultation with legal and medical professionals. I believe the best solution is therefore to firstly adhere to the four principles mentioned above. These principles should be underlined by legislation, and include ethically challenging issues such as euthanasia. To prevent indiscretionary approaches
Medical Ethics Case Study Who Can Prescribe Medicine? Does Jerry's medical training qualify him to issue this refill order? Why or why not? Generally, LPNs and medical assistants are qualified to dispense medication prescribed by a physician ("Medical assistant, 2011). A medical assistant is a trained medical professional who works under the supervision of a board-certified physician ("Medical assistant, 2011). Typically, a medical assistant's work is administrative, but it may also include clinical
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