Identify An Example Of A Healthcare-Related Eth

Identify An Example Of A Health Care Related Eth

In 1,000-1,250 words, identify an example of a health care related ethical dilemma, describe it, and identify the stakeholders involved in the situation. Put yourself in the place of the health care administrator to answer the following questions related to your example: Which ethical principles are at risk in this dilemma? Describe how each is being threatened. For example, a patient's autonomy is being threatened if an overbearing family member is not listening to the patient's wishes. Describe how the Christian worldview could be used to apply ethical patient-centered principles, values, and culture to this situation.

Describe the importance of interprofessional collaboration when resolving an ethical dilemma versus attempting resolution in silos. Explain the ethical decision you would make in this dilemma and provide the rationale for your decision. Explain how professionalism, integrity, and self-confidence all have a role in achieving a resolution in this ethical dilemma. This assignment requires three to five scholarly peer-reviewed articles. Prepare this assignment according to the guidelines found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center.

Paper For Above instruction

In the complex landscape of healthcare, ethical dilemmas frequently challenge professionals to balance competing principles and values. One pertinent example is the case of end-of-life decision-making concerning a terminally ill patient who is mentally competent but faces immense pressure from family members to pursue aggressive treatment. This dilemma intricately involves patient autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, and justice—all core principles in healthcare ethics. As a healthcare administrator, understanding the nuances of these principles and the role of interprofessional collaboration is essential in navigating such situations ethically and effectively.

The scenario involves a patient diagnosed with advanced cancer who has clearly expressed a desire to prioritize comfort and quality of life over aggressive treatments. However, the patient's family insists on pursuing all possible measures, driven by cultural beliefs and emotional attachment, despite medical advice that further interventions may offer little benefit and substantial suffering. The healthcare team, including physicians, nurses, social workers, and chaplains, must coordinate to respect the patient’s wishes while addressing the family's concerns. Stakeholders in this dilemma encompass the patient, family members, healthcare providers, hospital administration, and possibly legal representatives if surrogate decision-making becomes necessary.

The primary ethical principles at risk here are autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, and justice. The patient’s autonomy—the right to make informed decisions about their own care—is threatened if the family’s influence overrides the patient’s expressed wishes. This tension exemplifies the challenge of respecting individual rights within a collective cultural context that emphasizes familial decision-making. Beneficence and non-maleficence are threatened if healthcare providers are compelled to administer treatments that are unlikely to improve the patient's condition and may cause harm or suffering. Justice concerns may arise if resources are allocated towards futile interventions at the expense of other patients who could benefit more effectively.

Applying a Christian worldview offers a lens through which to approach this ethical dilemma. Christian ethics emphasize compassion, respect for individual dignity, and the intrinsic value of each person. From this perspective, prioritizing the patient’s wishes aligns with the biblical principle of respecting others’ autonomy as an expression of love and compassion. Additionally, Christian teachings emphasize stewardship, suggesting that healthcare providers should judiciously utilize resources to serve the best interests of the patient and community. This worldview encourages practitioners to approach the situation with humility and understanding, seeking to reconcile cultural values with ethical healthcare practices rooted in love, respect, and justice.

In resolving such dilemmas, interprofessional collaboration is paramount. Working solely within siloed disciplines risks misunderstandings and conflict; instead, a team-based approach fosters shared decision-making, pooling diverse expertise and perspectives. Interprofessional collaboration enhances communication, reduces errors, and ensures that ethical principles are upheld comprehensively. For instance, involving chaplains can address spiritual needs, social workers can assess familial dynamics, and ethicists can guide complex moral considerations. This holistic approach promotes ethically sound decisions that respect patient autonomy while acknowledging cultural and spiritual contexts.

The ethical decision I would make prioritizes the patient’s wishes, provided they are competent and fully informed. Respecting autonomy, I would advocate for the implementation of a care plan focused on comfort measures, ensuring the patient’s dignity and quality of life are maintained. This decision aligns with beneficence and non-maleficence, minimizing suffering and avoiding unnecessary interventions. To support this, I would facilitate a family meeting, involving interdisciplinary team members to communicate the rationale clearly and compassionately, aligning the care plan with the patient’s values. The goal is to arrive at a consensus that respects the patient’s rights while acknowledging family concerns.

Professionalism, integrity, and self-confidence play vital roles in navigating these ethical challenges. Professionalism ensures adherence to ethical standards and respect for patient rights, fostering trust among stakeholders. Integrity guides healthcare providers to act honestly and transparently, even when facing pressure or complex moral considerations. Self-confidence enables clinicians and administrators to advocate for ethically sound decisions convincingly and stand firm against undue influence. Together, these qualities underpin a commitment to ethically responsible leadership that prioritizes patient-centered care and fosters a culture of ethical practice within healthcare settings.

References

• Beauchamp, T. L., & Childress, J. F. (2019). Principles of Biomedical Ethics (8th ed.). Oxford University Press.
• Fisher, C. B. (2017). Decoding the Ethics Code: A Practical Guide for Psychologists. APA Books.
• Kleinman, A., & Morrison, M. (2018). The Intersection of Culture and Ethics in Healthcare. Journal of Medical Ethics, 44(3), 189-193.
• Puchalski, C. M., et al. (2017). Spiritual Care in Clinical Practice. Oxford University Press.
• Shaw, D. (2020). Ethical Decision-Making in Healthcare. Routledge.
• Slote, M. (2019). Virtue Ethics and Healthcare: Caring for the Whole Person. Ethics & Medicine, 35(2), 123–134.
• Supiano, K. P., & Puchalski, C. M. (2019). Spirituality, Religiousness, and the Ethical Dilemmas in Patient Care. Journal of Palliative Medicine, 22(7), 736-740.
• Tronto, J. C. (2013). Caring Democracy: Markets, Equality, and Justice. New York University Press.
• Young, R. M. (2018). Ethical Challenges in End-of-Life Care. Journal of Palliative Medicine, 21(10), 1383-1388.
• Williams, J. P. (2021). Ethical Frameworks in Healthcare Leadership. Healthcare Management Review, 46(2), 117-125.