Students Will Have To Identify And Analyze One Of The ET ✓ Solved
Students Will Have To Identify And Analyze The One Of The Ethical Case
Students will have to identify and analyze the one of the ethical case study dilemmas (choose one of the five provided under ETHICAL CASE STUDIES). Write a 750 – 1000 word, double-spaced paper, and APA style. Students are expected to identify the key stakeholders, discussion of the implications of the ethical dilemma, and answer the case study questions. Each paper should have the following sections: Introduction to the Case study - introduce the case. The ethical dilemma - what is the issue at hand? Stakeholders - who are the stakeholders involved in the case? Questions - each case study has a set of questions you need to answer. They are different for each case study. Conclusions - What was the conclusion and what would you have done differently? References - I provided references at the end of each case study but you can use others as well.
Sample Paper For Above instruction
Introduction to the Case Study
The case under review involves a healthcare professional faced with a difficult ethical decision regarding patient confidentiality and the duty to disclose pertinent health information. This case highlights the complex interplay between respecting patient privacy and protecting public health, illustrating the core ethical tensions prevalent in healthcare settings. The scenario is set in a community health clinic where the practitioner encounters a patient diagnosed with a contagious disease who is hesitant to disclose relevant information to close contacts.
The Ethical Dilemma
The primary ethical dilemma revolves around whether the healthcare provider should maintain the patient's confidentiality or breach it in order to inform potentially infected individuals. The dilemma is rooted in the principles of autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, and justice. Respecting the patient's autonomy calls for preserving confidentiality; however, beneficence and non-maleficence demand actions to prevent harm to others who may be unknowingly infected. Justice requires ensuring equitable treatment and protection of the community while respecting individual rights. This situation underscores the challenge in balancing individual privacy rights with societal health needs.
Stakeholders
The stakeholders involved include the patient, who has the right to privacy; the healthcare provider, tasked with upholding ethical standards and legal obligations; other patients and community members who may be at risk of infection; public health authorities responsible for disease control; and the patient's family members, who might be affected. Additionally, policymakers and legal entities influence the scope and limitations of confidentiality and reporting obligations. Each stakeholder has competing interests—personal privacy versus community safety—which complicate the decision-making process.
Questions
The case study prompts several critical questions: Should the healthcare provider breach confidentiality to inform at-risk individuals? What legal responsibilities exist regarding reporting contagious diseases? How can healthcare practitioners balance their ethical obligations with legal mandates? What are the potential consequences of breaching or maintaining confidentiality in this context? Answering these questions involves weighing the ethical principles and legal guidelines that govern healthcare practices, as well as considering the societal impact of the decision.
Conclusions
In conclusion, the ethical decision in this case hinges on carefully balancing individual rights with societal safety. The typical outcome in such cases involves reporting to public health authorities to initiate appropriate interventions, thus prioritizing community health while attempting to preserve the patient's trust. If I were in the healthcare provider's position, I would adhere to legal obligations by reporting the case to public health authorities, while engaging the patient in discussions to foster trust and cooperation. This approach aligns with ethical principles and legal requirements, ultimately serving the greater good. Nevertheless, ongoing ethical training and clear policies are essential to guide professionals through such dilemmas effectively.
References
- Beauchamp, T. L., & Childress, J. F. (2013). Principles of Biomedical Ethics (7th ed.). Oxford University Press.
- Gostin, L. O., & Hodge, J. G. (2002). UK Public Health Law: Legal Foundations for Protecting Public Health. Journal of Law, Medicine & Ethics, 30(4), 644-652.
- Public Health Agency. (2020). Guidelines for Reporting Communicable Diseases. Government Publishing Office.
- Siegel, J., & Maclaren, M. (2018). Ethical Challenges in Public Health. American Journal of Public Health, 108(S3), S174–S178.
- Holland, S. (2017). Confidentiality and Its Limits in Healthcare. Journal of Medical Ethics, 43(6), 392-396.
- Beauchamp, T. L., & Childress, J. F. (2013). Principles of Biomedical Ethics (7th ed.). Oxford University Press.
- McGraw, D., & Vardaman, S. (2016). Re-evaluating the Ethical Responsibilities of Healthcare Providers in Managing Confidentiality. Bioethics, 30(7), 463-470.
- World Health Organization. (2016). Ethical Considerations in Public Health Emergencies. WHO Press.
- Friedman, M. R., et al. (2020). Ethical and Legal Aspects of Disease Reporting and Surveillance. Public Health Reports, 135(2), 157-164.
- Selim, B., & Hossain, S. (2019). Balancing Confidentiality and Public Health: A Case Analysis. Health Policy and Ethics, 32(4), 418-425.