Ethical Dilemma- A Framework
Ethical Dilemma
Taking into account ethical concerns is one of the key components in providing healthcare in the therapeutic nurse-patient relationship (Rosenbaum, 1982). Nurses face ethical uncertainty, distress and conflict in their day-to-day work. When more than one ethical value applies to a particular case, and all of them recommend following a different course of action, then an ethical dilemma exists in such a case a nurse would be not be sure of which value takes precedence (College of Nurses of Ontario, 2009). This specific case involves a 6-year-old who is by law a minor and thus a physician must obtain informed consent from their legal guardian. However, the child's primary guardian is his non-biological mother who is citing her religious reason to refuse medical treatment, while the biological father who resides in another state wants the kid to be treated, a situation that leaves the medical team confused as the two choices could lead to total different outcomes. Thus in making a decision regarding this case it is crucial that the medical team uses a decision-making model to find out the most ethical and levelheaded approach to get a solution to this dilemma.
To make a decision on ethical dilemmas, healthcare professionals need to be aware of their personal values. Nurses, in this case have to be aware of clinical ethics, and they need to have the ability to analyze a problem logically and reach a proper decision that they can justify using ethical values. Identifying and finding solutions to ethical dilemmas requires intellectual curiosity, commitment and sensitivity. If in doubt, nurses should consult their senior colleagues. By analyzing and discussing ethical values and reviewing case histories, nurses can ready themselves to solving ethical problems (College of Nurses of Ontario, 2009). Kitchener in his 1984 work identified 5 moral principles that he regarded as key to ethical guidelines. The five ethical principles identified are justice,...
Ethical dilemmas and conflict of interest at Massachusetts General Hospital BostonDid you know Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston is ranked top five of the best hospitals in the United States? Therefore, they are expected to serve their patients diligently while maintaining and strengthening their trust and confidence as they undertake their treatment. The healthcare workers are expected to demonstrate the highest standard of professional competence, efficiency, and effectiveness between themselves and
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
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
Abstract Counseling is a highly sensitive profession that depends on maintaining boundaries and solidifying trust. The establishment of clear ethical codes helps counselors to understand their roles and responsibilities to clients and to their colleagues. Laws at the state and federal level may provide additional protection to both clients and counselors and determine penalties for ethical violations. However, counselors inevitably encounter ethical dilemmas. Ethical dilemmas can arise when there is a
One issue which has gained in public attention in recent years, first with the outbreak of SARS and avian flu, and more recently with the spread of swine flu, is that of public health epidemic. 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
Ethical Decision Making: Uustal (1993) proposed a decision-making model that offers tangible steps for arriving at a morally acceptable solution when experiencing an ethical dilemma. Generally, nurses are usually faced with ethical dilemmas that are largely attributed to the nature of their work. One of the ethical dilemmas I have experienced as a nurse in the clinical setting is a situation involving a child diagnosed with brain tumor. Before the diagnosis,
Our semester plans gives you unlimited, unrestricted access to our entire library of resources —writing tools, guides, example essays, tutorials, class notes, and more.
Get Started Now