Question One In Chapter 9 You Read About How Both These Issu ✓ Solved

Question Onein Chapter 9 You Read About How Both These Issues Impact

Question One in Chapter 9 asks students to select a health-related profession other than their own and analyze an ethical lapse reported in the popular press related to that profession. The task involves exploring both legal and ethical issues involved in the incident, referring to laws, licensure/practice acts, and professional codes of ethics. Students are instructed to search online for relevant ethical codes and regulatory agency information to support their analysis. The focus is on understanding how legal and ethical considerations are intertwined in professional misconduct and the implications for public trust.

Specifically, students should:

  • Select a health profession different from their own and exclude physicians, as physicians are examined in a separate question.
  • Identify and analyze a news story involving an ethical and legal lapse by a professional in that field.
  • Examine the legal issues, including relevant laws and practice acts, and ethical standards according to professional codes of ethics.

Sample Paper For Above instruction

In contemporary healthcare, maintaining ethical conduct alongside compliance with legal standards is paramount to ensuring public trust and effective practice. This paper explores a recent ethical lapse within the dental profession, analyzing the involved legal and ethical issues, and emphasizing the importance of adhering to established professional standards.

Selected Profession: Dentistry

The case under review involves a well-publicized incident where a dentist was accused of performing unnecessary procedures to inflate billing and increase profits, raising significant ethical and legal concerns. This incident was reported by major news outlets, which highlighted both the malpractice and the breach of patient trust.

Legal Issues Involved

The primary legal issues in this case concern violations of healthcare laws related to fraud and patient protection. Under the False Claims Act, submitting fraudulent insurance claims is a criminal offense, penalized by substantial fines and imprisonment. The dentist's billing practices, which included charging for procedures not performed or not necessary, clearly violate federal and state laws governing healthcare billing and fraud (U.S. Department of Justice, 2022).

Additionally, malpractice laws and patient consent laws were relevant. Performing unnecessary procedures infringes upon the patient’s right to autonomy and informed consent, constituting a breach of legal duty and exposing the professional to civil litigation and licensure sanctions (American Dental Association [ADA], 2023).

Ethical Issues Involved

From an ethical standpoint, the case infringed core principles outlined in the ADA’s Code of Ethics, including beneficence, nonmaleficence, autonomy, and justice. The dentist's actions prioritized financial gain over patient well-being, violating beneficence—the duty to promote patient health and welfare. Performing unnecessary procedures posed risks to patients' health, contradicting nonmaleficence, the obligation to do no harm (Beauchamp & Childress, 2019).

Respect for patient autonomy was compromised by deception, as patients were unaware that procedures might not be necessary. Justice was also compromised, as resources were misused for personal profit, potentially limiting access to care for other patients in need (Gillon, 2015).

Implications and Lessons Learned

This case underscores the importance of ethical vigilance and legal compliance in healthcare. Professionals must adhere to their legal obligations and uphold ethical standards to foster trust and ensure patient safety. Regulatory agencies, such as the American Dental Association and state dental boards, play vital roles in monitoring and enforcing standards, including sanctions for misconduct (ADA, 2023).

Furthermore, ongoing ethics education is crucial for practitioners, emphasizing the importance of integrity and accountability. For the public, transparency and accountability in healthcare professionals are essential to maintaining confidence in healthcare systems.

Conclusion

Ethical and legal lapses such as the one discussed highlight the delicate balance healthcare professionals must maintain. By respecting laws and adhering to ethical principles—especially beneficence, nonmaleficence, autonomy, and justice—dental professionals can uphold the dignity of their practice and safeguard public health. Vigilance, proper ethical training, and strict regulatory oversight are necessary to prevent such misconduct from damaging the reputation of the profession and eroding public trust.

References

  • American Dental Association. (2023). ADA Principles of Ethics and Code of Professional Conduct. https://www.ada.org/en/about-the-ada/principles-of-ethics-and-code-of-professional-conduct
  • Beauchamp, T. L., & Childress, J. F. (2019). Principles of Biomedical Ethics (8th ed.). Oxford University Press.
  • Gillon, R. (2015). Ethics in medical practice. Journal of Medical Ethics, 41(3), 182–185.
  • U.S. Department of Justice. (2022). Justice Department Recovers Millions in False Claims Act Cases. https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndca/pr/justice-department-recovers-millions-false-claims-act-cases

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