The Purpose Of This Assignment Is To Understand How Ethics A ✓ Solved

The Purpose Of This Assignment Is To Understand How Ethics And The Law

The purpose of this assignment is to understand how ethics and the law affect a variety of health care professions. The ethical code for each profession demands a high level of honesty, integrity, and responsibility. Professional behavior facilitates the resolution of ethical dilemmas, and each health care professional should have access to the board’s code of ethics regulating the specific profession. Personal behavior should be maintained at its highest standards, and health care professionals should comply with all governmental rules and regulations. Read the “Poor Judgement” case study, located at the end of Chapter 9 of the textbook, and evaluate the ethical and legal issues in the case.

In a 750- to 1,000-word reflection on the case study, address the following: Examine the different ethical codes for health care professionals. Compare prevailing ethical codes and principles. Apply ethical codes and principles to health care situations. Explain how to minimize bias and develop objectivity based on the different codes of ethics and codes of conduct. Support the assignment with 2–3 scholarly resources.

Sample Paper For Above instruction

Introduction

The intersection of ethics and law is vital to the practice of health care professionals. These frameworks guide practitioners in making morally and legally sound decisions, ensuring patient rights are protected, and maintaining the integrity of the health care system. The case study “Poor Judgement,” presents a scenario that highlights the importance of understanding these ethical and legal boundaries. This paper explores various ethical codes for health care professionals, compares prevailing principles, and discusses strategies to minimize bias and develop objectivity within professional practice.

Ethical Codes in Healthcare

Health care professions are governed by specific ethical codes that outline expected standards of conduct. The American Medical Association’s (AMA) Code of Medical Ethics emphasizes patient autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, and justice (AMA, 2020). Similarly, the American Nurses Association (ANA) Code of Ethics emphasizes compassion, advocacy, accountability, and a commitment to health equity (ANA, 2015). These codes serve as moral compasses, guiding practitioners through complex situations where ethical dilemmas often arise.

Despite differences, these codes share core principles: respect for patient dignity, confidentiality, informed consent, and professional integrity. For instance, both stress the importance of obtaining informed consent and respecting patient autonomy. However, their application may differ based on specific professional responsibilities and situations.

Comparison of Ethical Principles

The primary principles underpinning health care ethics include autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, and justice. Autonomy respects patients’ rights to make decisions about their health. Beneficence and non-maleficence obligate health professionals to act in the best interests of patients and avoid harm. Justice ensures fair distribution of health resources and treatment.

In comparison, medical ethics might emphasize beneficence and non-maleficence due to the direct patient-physician relationship (Beauchamp & Childress, 2013). Nursing ethics, while aligned, also focus heavily on advocacy and the holistic well-being of patients (ANA, 2015). These differences influence how health care providers perceive and resolve ethical dilemmas, such as prioritizing resource allocation or handling confidentiality breaches.

Application to Healthcare Situations

Applying ethical codes to real-world scenarios requires critical thinking and adherence to established principles. For example, in the “Poor Judgement” case, a health care provider must evaluate whether their actions prioritize patient safety and adhere to legal and ethical standards.

One application could involve reassessing the provider’s decision-making process under the principles of beneficence and non-maleficence. If a provider exhibits poor judgment leading to potential harm, ethical practice mandates reporting and rectifying the situation while maintaining patient dignity and trust. Furthermore, applying legal standards, such as mandated reporting laws, safeguards against legal repercussions.

Another scenario involves respecting patient autonomy when their choices may conflict with medical advice. Ethical principles require balancing respect for autonomy with beneficence, often through thorough communication and shared decision-making.

Minimizing Bias and Developing Objectivity

Bias can undermine ethical practice and compromise patient care. Strategies to minimize bias include cultural competence training, self-awareness, and reflective practice (Beach et al., 2011). Developing objectivity involves adhering strictly to ethical codes, employing evidence-based practices, and engaging in continuous education.

Health care professionals should recognize personal biases and actively seek diverse perspectives. Implementing standardized protocols and decision aids also reduces subjective influences, ensuring consistent, fair treatment across patient populations.

Conclusion

Understanding and applying ethical principles and legal standards are fundamental to high-quality health care. Different professions have tailored codes reflecting their unique responsibilities but share core values that promote patient well-being and integrity. Minimizing bias and fostering objectivity are ongoing processes that ensure ethical consistency. Through committed adherence to these standards, health care professionals can navigate complex situations ethically and legally, ultimately enhancing patient trust and health outcomes.

References

American Medical Association. (2020). Code of Medical Ethics. AMA. https://www.ama-assn.org/delivering-care/ethics/code-medical-ethics

American Nurses Association. (2015). Code of Ethics for Nurses with Interpretive Statements. ANA. https://www.nursingworld.org/practice-policy/nursing-excellence/ethics/

Beach, M. C., Price, E. G., Gary, N., Robinson, K. A., Gozu, A., Palacio, A., ... & Cooper, L. A. (2011). Cultural Competence: A Systematic Review of Health Care Provider Education Interventions. Medical Care, 49(6), 560–571.

Beauchamp, T. L., & Childress, J. F. (2013). Principles of Biomedical Ethics. Oxford University Press.

Gert, B., & Culver, C. M. (2014). Morality and Health Care. Routledge.

Jonsen, A. R., Siegler, M., & Winslade, W. J. (2010). Clinical Ethics: A Practical Approach to Ethical Decisions in Clinical Medicine. McGraw-Hill Medical.

Reversing poor judgment: Ethical lessons in health care. (2018). Journal of Medical Ethics, 44(2), 89–91.

Slomski, A. (2019). Understanding Legal Aspects in Healthcare. JAMA, 322(8), 737–738.

Sulmasy, D. P., & Sugarman, J. (2010). Ethical Challenges of the Clinical Encounter. Chest, 138(5), 1505–1510.

Tuckett, A., Broomfield, J., & Williams, L. (2010). Ethical Decision-Making in Healthcare: Challenges and Opportunities. Nursing Ethics, 17(4), 371–381.