A failure to disclose health concerns properly or to allow others to know when one is seriously ill is a way to instigate the spread of a condition. Thus, "public health has laws governing reportable illnesses such as TB, small pox, and sexually transmitted diseases. In these cases, the patient's identity is exposed in order to protect the general public." (Quan, 1) Thus, the protection of patient privacy without proper consideration of these concerns may manifest as a more serious and widespread public health crisis.
And from a legal standpoint, one of the most treacherous legal paths concerns the question of the patient's potential danger to himself or others. This is a condition which was prompted by a case in the 1970s where a young man infatuated with a woman named Tatiana Tarasoff and resentful over her rejection, entered into a serious depression. Stalking Tarasoff and seeking counseling, the young man told the therapist of his intent to kill the woman. When the authorities were notified, they determined that he was not a threat and released him, at which point he followed through on his plan. When the parents of the slain girl sued the University of California for its failure to intervene, the outcome raised a discussion over the right of physicians to disclose otherwise confidential information given by a client.
The issue was settled to the end that where such danger may be demonstrated, it is the ethical and legal responsibility of the physician to bypass the code of confidentiality. According to the majority opinion in the 1976 case, "the ultimate question of resolving the tension between the conflicting interests of patient and potential victim is one of social policy, not professional expertise. The risk that unnecessary warnings may be given is a reasonable price to pay for the lives of possible...
Ethical Dilemma of Assisted Suicide "In the care of patients with terminal illness, arguably the singular purpose should be safe, effective treatment and relief of pain and suffering," yet it is within this context that a heated debate about assisted suicide exists (Goslin 2006 p 2). Overall, the public seems to support the individual's right to choose. This has been deeply ingrained within American culture in the presence of staunch individualism.
Ethical Dilemmas in High School Counseling Faced with the dilemma of entering into a dual relationship with a 14-year-old, freshman member of the cheerleading squad who approached me for counseling her for sexual abuse at the hands of her father, I decided that I would resign my position as coach of the cheerleading squad and continue only in the role of counselor. I reached this decision after carefully weighing the ethical
Essay Topic Examples Autonomy vs. Beneficence: Respecting Patient Choices in End-of-Life Care This essay would explore the ethical dilemma nurses face when a patient's wishes regarding their end-of-life care conflict with what the healthcare team believes is in the patient's best interest. The paper could examine case studies where patient autonomy is challenged by the principle of beneficence, and how nurses navigate these complex situations to
Essay Topic Examples Topic 1: The Ethics of End-of-Life Care Description: Examine the complex ethical dilemmas faced by nurses in caring for dying patients, including decisions regarding withholding or withdrawing treatment, pain management, and respecting patient autonomy. Topic 2: The Ethical Responsibilities in Triage Situations Description: Discuss the ethical principles and guidelines nurses must follow when prioritizing care in emergency
Ethics of Informed Consent Ethical Dilemma: Imagine a psychologist treating a minor child depression minor cutting. Because child's parents divorced, obtained consent treat child father, custodial parent. The mother (noncustodial parent) calls involved son's treatment. Ethical dilemma: Treating a child of divorced patients One of the most difficult issues for a therapist regarding the treatment of minors is the question of confidentiality. "An important aspect of treatment is to foster an individual's autonomy,
Social Worker Ethics Ethical dilemma: Privacy and Confidentiality One of the most difficult situations for a social worker is when he or she must deal with confidentiality issues regarding a minor. For example, if a social worker is counseling an adolescent girl with an eating disorder in the context of a family intervention, the girl's understandably concerned parents may wish that the social worker disclose what the girl says during private therapy sessions.
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