The Experience I Wish To Use To Illustrate An Ethical Decisi
The experience I wish to use to illustrate an ethical decision
Paper 1: The experience I wish to use to illustrate an ethical decision has to do with a doctor friend of mine, who told me about the event several years ago. My friend was a young medical doctor, actually just graduated from medical school. His grandfather at that time was a very old man and had a number of ailments he was battling with. My friend was one of the doctors who was taking care of the old man, and he was well acquainted with his situation. One night, in fact in the middle of the night, around 2 am, my friend’s grandfather became very ill, and emergency medical facilities like ambulances were not readily available at that time of the night.
The family was at a loss as to what to do. Then somebody remembered that one of the neighbours was working in a hospital, either as a pharmacy technician or assistant, or some similar job description-he was not a medical doctor, in any case. Due to the desperate situation at hand, it was suggested that this hospital staff should be contacted and pleaded with to come and examine the old man and see whether he could help in any way. The hospital staff was contacted and begged to come and see the old man, and he reluctantly agreed to do so, despite the interruption to his sleep. Upon examining the patient, the hospital staff concluded that the man was having a severe attack of asthma.
He then went ahead and administered a drug for asthma patients to the old man by intravenous injection. A few hours later, the old man died. My friend the young doctor was informed the following morning on what happened to his grandfather, and he was utterly shocked. His grandfather had never had any history of asthma—he had never in his life been treated for asthma. No medical doctor would have prescribed that drug for that patient.
It is at this point that the ethical question arose, and there was need to make an ethical decision on what to do about this person who was not a medical doctor but went ahead to not only prescribe, but administer a drug to this patient. In the argument that followed this event, there were two groups with views that varied with each other. One group argued straight away that the person in question should be prosecuted because what he did amounted more or less to premeditated murder. He should not have administered any drug to the patient, since he was not qualified to do so. He should have concentrated on finding ways to get the patient to a hospital.
The other group argued that this person was just acting as a good Samaritan, trying to help out the ailing old man. They saw it as an act of ingratitude to even consider prosecuting this man. In the end, the ethical decision made was based on the Duty-based Ethical theory, since it is a universal rule that only qualified medical personnel are to diagnose and prescribe drugs to patients, as well as administer those drugs. The medical staff was neither of these—they were merely technical staff in a hospital. The final decision, therefore, was to prosecute the person in question.
Paper For Above instruction
The ethical decision illustrated by this scenario brings into focus the complex dilemmas faced when individuals act outside their professional boundaries, especially in critical situations. In this case, a resident hospital staff member, not qualified as a medical doctor, administered medication to an old man, resulting in his death. The scenario underscores the importance of adhering to professional standards, legal regulations, and ethical principles that govern medical practice to prevent harm and uphold societal trust.
The core ethical issue revolves around the responsibility and accountability of individuals operating in healthcare environments. While the person acted out of a presumably compassionate desire to help an urgent situation, their lack of qualification and breach of established medical protocols raised serious concerns. The act of administering medication, especially intravenously, requires knowledge, skill, and an understanding of pharmacology that this individual did not possess. The consequential outcome—the death of a patient—emphasizes the significance of competence and adherence to ethical standards in medical interventions.
The debate surrounding the incident reflects broader ethical principles, notably the principles of beneficence, non-maleficence, and justice. Beneficence, the obligation to do good, might suggest that the person intended to help; however, non-maleficence, the obligation to do no harm, indicates that their actions inadvertently caused harm. Justice pertains to ensuring that only qualified personnel perform critical medical procedures, thereby protecting individuals from unqualified interventions. The decision to prosecute aligns with the duty to uphold legal and ethical standards, thereby maintaining trust in the medical profession and safeguarding patient welfare.
In analyzing the situation through ethical theories, the decision supports a deontological approach, emphasizing adherence to moral duties and rules. The universal duty that only qualified healthcare professionals should diagnose and administer treatment is fundamental. This perspective highlights that even well-meaning actions can lead to adverse outcomes when performed without proper qualifications. Conversely, a consequentialist or utilitarian view might argue that the act of helping in an urgent moment could outweigh strict adherence to protocol; however, the detrimental outcome underscores the risks of unsupervised interventions.
Furthermore, this incident underscores the importance of clear legal frameworks and institutional policies guiding emergency responses. Healthcare institutions must foster environments where unqualified individuals understand the risks and responsibilities involved in medical actions. Training and public awareness campaigns can enhance understanding of the importance of professional boundaries—especially during emergencies—to prevent similar tragedies.
The scenario also raises questions about personal morality and societal expectations. While acts of kindness and altruism are commendable, they cannot replace formal qualifications and adherence to established protocols. Society relies on healthcare professionals to act within ethical and legal standards to ensure safety and trust. When these boundaries are crossed, it undermines the integrity of healthcare systems and can lead to tragic consequences, as in this case.
In conclusion, this case illustrates the necessity of strict adherence to professional and legal standards in healthcare. The decision to prosecute in this scenario underscores the importance of safeguarding patient safety, maintaining public trust, and reinforcing the role of qualified personnel in critical medical interventions. Ethical decision-making in healthcare requires balancing compassion with responsibility, and recognizing that unqualified acts, even if motivated by good intentions, can result in harm. Therefore, establishing clear boundaries, continuous education, and robust enforcement of standards are essential in preventing similar tragedies.
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