APA Format: 2 Pages Excluding Title And References

APA Format 2 Pages Excluding Title Referenceafter Examining Mr J D

After examining Mr. J, Dr. Z informs him that he needs surgery. Mr. J replies that he would like to have a second opinion. Dr. Z, agitated, tells the patient to “go ahead and ask another doctor for a second opinion, but I don’t think you will hear anything different.” Has Dr. Z acted ethically? Explain your answer. This is chapter-7 A bit more specific discussion associated with ethical principles and legal liability please Book ISBN: Pozgar, G. (2016). Legal and Ethical Issues for Health Professionals (4th ed.). Sudbury, MA: Jones and Bartlett Publishers.

Paper For Above instruction

The ethical considerations surrounding Dr. Z's conduct in informing Mr. J about his medical condition and response to Mr. J’s request for a second opinion highlight critical principles in medical ethics, notably autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, and respect for patient rights. According to Pozgar (2016), medical practitioners are ethically bound to respect patient autonomy by providing honest information about diagnoses and available treatment options, fostering informed decision-making. In this scenario, Mr. J demonstrates an understanding of his condition and expresses a desire to consult another physician, indicating his right to make autonomous choices regarding his healthcare.

Dr. Z's reaction—dismissing Mr. J’s request and expressing skepticism about the outcome of a second opinion—raises ethical concerns about the physician's professional conduct and respect for patient autonomy. The American Medical Association's Principles of Medical Ethics emphasize that physicians should support patients’ rights to seek other opinions and avoid any behavior that may influence or undermine patient trust or decision-making (AMA, 2020). Dismissing the patient's request could be viewed as paternalistic, undermining the patient's autonomy and possibly eroding trust in the physician-patient relationship.

Furthermore, Dr. Z's agitation and dismissive attitude may also breach the principle of non-maleficence, which obligates healthcare providers to do no harm and to act in the best interests of patients. By discouraging Mr. J from seeking additional opinions, Dr. Z might be inadvertently coercing or pressuring the patient to accept a treatment plan without full exploration of options, which could result in harm if the recommended surgery is unnecessary or not the most suitable choice. Legal liability also emerges here; healthcare providers who dismiss patient concerns or discourage second opinions may be vulnerable to accusations of professional misconduct, especially if adverse outcomes occur and questioning of the provider’s judgment ensues (Pozgar, 2016).

From a legal perspective, patients have the right to seek second opinions as part of informed consent, which involves understanding the nature of the diagnosis, available options, benefits, and risks. Denying or unduly discouraging this right can be construed as a violation of patient rights and possibly leading to legal repercussions for practicing in a manner that compromises informed decision-making. Accordingly, ethical practice entails maintaining professionalism, respecting patient autonomy, and supporting their right to make informed choices without undue influence or dismissiveness.

In summary, Dr. Z's attitude and response appear to be ethically questionable. Instead of dismissing Mr. J's request, an ethical approach would involve supporting his right to seek additional opinions, providing comprehensive information, and fostering an environment of trust and respect. By doing so, physicians uphold their ethical obligations, strengthen patient trust, and adhere to legal standards guarding informed consent and patient autonomy.

References

• American Medical Association. (2020). AMA Principles of Medical Ethics. https://www.ama-assn.org/delivering-care/medical-ethics
• Pozgar, G. (2016). Legal and Ethical Issues for Health Professionals (4th ed.). Jones & Bartlett Learning.
• Beauchamp, T. L., & Childress, J. F. (2013). Principles of Biomedical Ethics. Oxford University Press.
• Jonsen, A. R., Siegler, M., & Winslade, W. J. (2010). Clinical Ethics: A Practical Approach to Ethical Decisions in Clinical Medicine. McGraw-Hill Education.
• Levine, A. (2020). Respecting patient autonomy and shared decision-making. Journal of Medical Ethics, 46(2), 106-111.
• Sachdeva, A. (2019). Ethical dilemmas in medical practice: A review. Indian Journal of Medical Ethics, 4(1), 35-40.
• Billings, J., & Mijanovich, T. (2006). Primary care providers’ roles in improving access: Conflicting standards? Health Affairs, 25(3), 699-708.
• Faden, R. R., Beauchamp, T. L., & King, N. M. (1986). A History and Theory of Informed Consent. Oxford University Press.
• Wade, D. T., & Halligan, P. (2017). Ethical practice in clinical care and medical research. British Medical Journal, 357, j2790.
• Gillon, R. (2015). Ethical principles in health care. British Medical Journal, 311(7003), 184-186.