Health Care Administrators Face Ethical Dilemmas

Health Care Administrators Are Confronted With Ethical Dilemmas And Di

Health care administrators are confronted with ethical dilemmas and difficult decision making during their work. As we have already discovered, there are important interactions between ethical behaviors and legal issues. Health care administrators need to understand the relationships as well as the distinct differences. Health care institutions have ethics committees that play a central role in the protection of patient’s rights, the organization as a whole, and its staff. Instructions Imagine you work as a professional health care administrator in a large medical center.

You have been asked to present a paper at a professional conference on medical ethics and caregiver-patient encounters. You must write a paper about a significant physician-patient ethical dilemma in a medical setting, defending the decision and conclusions made. Below is a resource with multiple ethical case studies that involved patients, their families, and members of the interdisciplinary team. Choose one of the scenarios on this site, or select a case of your own choosing from another resource. Medical Ethics and Physician-Patient Encounters: Case Studies and Best Practices.

Your paper should be 3–5 pages and should include a title page and references, for a total of 5–7 pages. Strayer Writing Standards This course requires the use of Strayer Writing Standards. For assistance and information, please refer to the Strayer Writing Standards link in the left-hand menu of your course. Grading Criteria The grading criteria for this executive summary is as follows. It must include the elements listed below, so be sure to address each point.

You may also want to review the performance-level descriptions for each criterion in the scoring guide to see how your work will be assessed: Prepare a brief from the perspective of a lead administrator dealing with an ethical dilemma. Apply ethical and moral theories to a case study involving a patient and caregivers. Outline the ethical concerns and potential outcomes in a selected ethical dilemma. Propose a solution to mitigate the issues raised in a selected ethical dilemma. Defend the solution from an ethical standpoint.

Use at least three peer-reviewed articles less than five years old. Provide appropriate in-text citations and reference section. Meet clarity, writing mechanics, and formatting requirements.

Paper For Above instruction

In the complex landscape of healthcare, ethical dilemmas are intrinsic to the decision-making processes faced by clinicians and administrators alike. As a health care administrator in a large medical center, understanding and navigating these dilemmas are crucial for safeguarding patient rights, maintaining organizational integrity, and upholding professional ethical standards. This paper explores a significant physician-patient ethical dilemma, applying relevant ethical theories, outlining concerns and outcomes, and proposing a defensible solution.

The selected case involves a terminally ill patient, Mr. Smith, who is experiencing unmanaged pain and has expressed a desire to end his life through assisted euthanasia, which is illegal in many jurisdictions. The dilemma revolves around respecting patient autonomy versus adhering to legal constraints and healthcare professional codes of conduct. This scenario exemplifies the tension between moral principles of autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, and justice.

From an ethical perspective, autonomy is paramount; patients have the right to make decisions about their own body and treatment, including the decision to end life in cases of terminal suffering. However, legal frameworks restrict such actions, posing a conflict between moral obligation and legal compliance. Applying Kantian deontological ethics emphasizes respecting patients' dignity and rights, regardless of potential legal ramifications. Conversely, utilitarianism would weigh outcomes, including the potential for increased suffering if the patient is denied relief and the societal implications of legal disobedience.

The ethical concerns in this case involve balancing respect for patient autonomy against legal statutes and professional responsibilities. If the healthcare team proceeds with assisting euthanasia clandestinely, they risk legal penalties, professional sanctions, and damage to institutional reputation. Conversely, denying the patient relief from suffering may violate beneficence and compassion, raising questions of ethical integrity and moral obligation.

Potential outcomes vary depending on the course of action. If the team respects the patient's wishes within the boundaries of law, the patient may experience relief, but legal repercussions may ensue. If they adhere strictly to legal statutes, the patient's suffering persists, which may be viewed as neglect. Informing the ethics committee and exploring alternative palliative options, such as hospice or advanced pain management, may mitigate these issues. Such measures uphold beneficence and respect for autonomy while respecting legal frameworks.

Proposing a solution requires a nuanced approach. One viable strategy involves transparent communication with the patient and family, informing them of medical options and legal limitations, while advocating for policies that support patient-centered care. The ethics committee can serve as a mediator, guiding ethical decision-making aligned with legal constraints. Implementing enhanced palliative care protocols and ensuring comprehensive pain management can address the core concern—alleviating suffering—without resorting to illegal actions.

Defending this approach ethically involves emphasizing respect for patient dignity and beneficence, supported by principles of non-maleficence and justice. Improving symptom management upholds moral obligations to do no harm and to promote patient well-being, aligning with advanced palliative care practices endorsed by professional associations. Additionally, this strategy respects legal boundaries, maintaining organizational integrity and avoiding potential liabilities.

In conclusion, the physician-patient dilemma surrounding end-of-life decision-making exemplifies the complex interplay of ethical principles in healthcare. By applying theoretical frameworks, engaging ethics committees, and emphasizing comprehensive palliative care, healthcare administrators can navigate these challenging situations ethically and legally. Such informed, compassionate approaches foster trust, uphold moral integrity, and ensure quality patient-centered care, ultimately aligning organizational policies with core healthcare ethics.

References

• Brock, D. W., & Gelber, S. (2018). Ethical issues in palliative care. Journal of Palliative Medicine, 21(5), 549-556.
• Slomka, J. P. (2019). Navigating legal and ethical challenges in end-of-life care. Healthcare Law Review, 35(4), 220-229.
• Giszczak, P., et al. (2020). Ethical decision-making in healthcare: An integrative review. Clinical Ethics, 15(3), 251-261.
• Nesbit, R. J. (2017). The role of ethics committees in healthcare. Bioethics, 31(7), 529-535.
• Henderson, R., & Roper, B. (2021). Communicating end-of-life options: Ethical considerations. Journal of Medical Ethics, 47(2), 97-103.