Develop In Detail A Situation In Which A Healthcare Worker ✓ Solved

Develop in detail a situation in which a health care worker might be confronted with ethical problems related to patients and prescription drug use OR patients in a state of poverty

Develop in detail a situation in which a health care worker might be confronted with ethical problems related to patients and prescription drug use OR patients in a state of poverty. Each scenario must be original to you and this assignment. It cannot be from the discussion boards in this class or any other previous forum. Articulate (and then assess) the ethical solutions that can be found using "care" (care-based ethics) and "rights" ethics to those problems. Assessment must ask if the solutions are flawed, practicable, persuasive, etc. What health care technology is involved in the situation? What moral guidelines for using that kind of healthcare technology should be used there? Explore such guidelines also using utilitarianism, Kantian deontology, ethical egoism, or social contract ethics. Say how social technologies such as blogs, crowdfunding, online encyclopedias can be used in either case. What moral guidelines for using that kind of healthcare technology should be used there? Develop such guidelines also using utilitarianism, Kantian deontology, ethical egoism, or social contract ethics. You should not be using any text you used in a discussion board or assignment for this class or any previous class. Cite the textbook and incorporate outside sources, including citations. Writing Requirements (APA format) Length: 3-4 pages (not including title page or references page) 1-inch margins Double spaced 12-point Times New Roman font Title page References page (minimum of 2 scholarly sources)

Sample Paper For Above instruction

Introduction

Healthcare professionals frequently encounter ethical dilemmas that challenge their moral reasoning and decision-making capabilities. Two prevalent scenarios involve patients in poverty who struggle to access necessary medications and patients who are prescribed drugs but face ethical questions regarding their use. This paper explores a specific, original scenario involving a healthcare worker confronting such ethical issues, analyzes possible solutions through care-based ethics and rights ethics, assesses the practicality and persuasiveness of these solutions, and evaluates the role of healthcare technology and social technologies guided by various moral frameworks.

Scenario Description

Consider a community health nurse working in a low-income urban neighborhood. She encounters a middle-aged patient, Mr. Thompson, who suffers from hypertension and diabetes but cannot afford the prescribed medications. The healthcare system has limited assistance programs, and Mr. Thompson frequently skips doses or takes expired drugs to save money, risking severe health complications. The nurse faces an ethical dilemma: should she provide him with free samples from pharmaceutical companies, which may be unethical but could save his life, or refuse and risk his health deteriorating further? Additionally, the nurse discovers that another patient, Ms. Lopez, is requesting a prescription for opioids for chronic pain, raising concerns about potential misuse and addiction.

Analysis Using Care-Based and Rights Ethics

Care-Based Ethics

Care ethics emphasizes compassion, empathy, and the relational aspects of moral decision-making. Applying this framework, the nurse might prioritize her caring responsibilities by providing Mr. Thompson with whatever assistance she can, such as connecting him to charitable organizations or facilitating access to sliding-scale clinics. This approach fosters trust and upholds her moral obligation to care for vulnerable patients. However, reliance solely on care ethics may ignore broader systemic issues and the ethical implications of circumventing standard procedures.

Rights Ethics

Rights ethics centers on respecting patients' rights to autonomy, adequate healthcare, and informed consent. From this perspective, the nurse must balance respecting Mr. Thompson's right to health with legal and ethical standards governing drug distribution. Supplying free medication samples without authorization could violate pharmaceutical regulations, but denying care compromises the patient's rights to health and dignity. Regarding Ms. Lopez, respecting her autonomy and rights to pain management might necessitate cautious prescribing, ensuring proper safeguards are in place.

Assessment of Ethical Solutions

The solutions grounded in care ethics are emotionally compelling and promote immediate relief but may lack long-term sustainability or adherence to legal standards. Rights-based solutions uphold patient autonomy and legal standards but might be limited by systemic constraints and resource shortages. An integrative approach that combines empathy with respect for legal frameworks seems most pragmatic but requires careful navigation to avoid ethical pitfalls and ensure patient well-being.

Healthcare Technology and Ethical Guidelines

Involved Technologies

Telemedicine platforms, electronic health records (EHRs), and mobile health apps are integral in this scenario. These technologies facilitate remote consultations, monitor medication adherence, and provide health education, especially in underserved communities.

Moral Guidelines Guided by Ethical Frameworks

Utilitarianism

Maximize overall health benefits by ensuring equitable access to technology and medications, thus reducing suffering and improving health outcomes on a population level.

Kantian Deontology

Respect patients' intrinsic dignity and autonomy by obtaining informed consent before using health technologies and ensuring data privacy and security.

Ethical Egoism

Healthcare workers should prioritize their professional interests by adopting technology that enhances their efficiency and personal responsibility without compromising patient trust.

Social Contract Ethics

Promote policies that ensure equitable access to healthcare technology, with societal agreements ensuring fair distribution and responsible use.

Role of Social Technologies

Blogs, crowdfunding platforms, and online encyclopedias can raise awareness about healthcare disparities. Crowdfunding can support patients like Mr. Thompson, while blogs can advocate for policy changes. Proper regulation and ethical use of these platforms are essential to prevent misinformation and protect patient privacy.

Guidelines for Using Healthcare and Social Technologies

• Ensure informed consent and data privacy in digital health applications.
• Promote equitable access through policy reforms and subsidies.
• Utilize crowdfunding ethically to avoid exploitation or misinformation.
• Leverage social media responsibly to raise awareness without violating patient confidentiality.

Conclusion

Addressing ethical dilemmas in healthcare requires a balance between compassionate care, respect for rights, and systemic considerations. Integrating technological advancements with ethically grounded guidelines can improve patient outcomes and promote justice, especially for vulnerable populations in poverty or facing complex prescription drug issues.

References

• Beauchamp, T. L., & Childress, J. F. (2019). Principles of biomedical ethics (8th ed.). Oxford University Press.
• Childress, J. F., & Siegler, M. (2019). Introduction to bioethics. Oxford University Press.
• Sullivan, M., & Kirscher, T. (2021). Healthcare ethics: Critical issues for the 21st century. Routledge.
• World Health Organization. (2020). Ethical considerations in health technology assessment. WHO Publications.
• Jones, M. (2018). Social technologies and healthcare justice. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 20(4), e10263.
• Goold, S. D., & Lipkin, M. (2022). Ethics and social implications of digital health. Ethics & Medicine, 38(1), 35-45.
• Levy, S. (2020). Crowdfunding and healthcare: Opportunities and challenges. New England Journal of Medicine, 383(3), 210-212.
• Schneider, C., & Ingram, P. (2019). Social contract theory in healthcare policy. Journal of Health Politics, Policy and Law, 44(2), 317-342.
• Rodgers, J. (2021). Applying utilitarian principles in healthcare technology. Bioethics, 35(7), 641-649.
• Kim, J. (2019). Kantian ethics and medical decision-making. Journal of Medical Philosophy, 44(5), 602-615.