WK 10 Assignment Socw 8205: Preparing For Advanced Directive ✓ Solved
WK 10 Assignment socw 8205: Preparing for Advanced Directives
Reflect on the experience completing an Advanced Directive. Consider: What was it like thinking and talking about the “what if’s,” “when’s,” and “why’s”? How did you feel when thinking about and talking with your loved one about the choices you would make in different medical scenarios? How willing were others to talk with you about your wishes and choices you made in the Advanced Directive? Explain any insights you gained from this activity that might help you as a social worker. Describe specific skills you would use to 1) talk to clients about Advanced Directives, 2) assist clients in completing an Advanced Directive, and 3) help families to apply an Advanced Directive. Explain one ethical issue (e.g., medical, social, or public health) that is relevant to a medical Advanced Directive. Explain two sides of the ethical issue. Describe the course of action you might take to address the ethical issue as the medical social worker responsible for this patient, explaining the specific benefits your decision might provide to the patient and the family.
Sample Paper For Above instruction
Introduction
The process of completing an advance directive is both emotionally and ethically complex, involving personal reflection, medical understanding, and communication with loved ones. As a future social worker, engaging with this activity provides critical insight into clients’ values and decision-making processes regarding end-of-life care. This paper explores the personal experience of completing an advance directive, the skills required for effective communication and support, and the ethical considerations that arise within this context.
Reflections on the Experience of Completing an Advance Directive
Completing an advance directive forced me to confront questions about my values related to life-sustaining treatments such as resuscitation, ventilators, and feeding tubes. It was an emotional experience that prompted reflection on the boundaries of medical intervention and my preferences in various scenarios. Discussing these “what ifs,” “when’s,” and “why’s” was challenging but necessary for clarity and peace of mind. I felt a mix of anxiety and relief—anxiety about confronting mortality but relief in knowing my wishes would be respected. When talking with loved ones, I noticed that their willingness to engage varied; some were receptive and supportive, while others hesitated or avoided the discussion altogether. This underscored the importance of open communication and education, as understanding these decisions can foster reassurance and reduce family conflict in critical moments.
Insights Gained and Relevance to Social Work Practice
One key insight is that advance directives are not just legal documents but tools for meaningful communication. As a social worker, fostering a safe environment for clients to express their values is vital. I realized that empathy, patience, and active listening are essential skills in discussing end-of-life preferences. I would employ these skills to guide clients through reflection on their wishes, clarify misconceptions, and ensure their directives align with their values. Assisting clients involves providing education about medical options, explaining the purpose of advance directives, and supporting them emotionally through the process. Helping families understand and respect these directives requires mediating conflicts and emphasizing the importance of honoring the individual’s autonomy.
Ethical Issue in Medical Advance Directives
A significant ethical issue related to advance directives is balancing respect for patient autonomy with beneficence, especially in situations where the patient’s wishes conflict with medical recommendations. On one side, respecting autonomy entails honoring the patient’s right to refuse or accept treatments based on their values. Conversely, beneficence emphasizes acting in the patient’s best interest, which might involve overriding directives if life-saving measures are deemed necessary. This ethical dilemma challenges practitioners to navigate respecting individual choices while ensuring appropriate care.
Addressing the Ethical Issue as a Social Worker
As a medical social worker, my course of action involves advocating for the patient’s autonomy by thoroughly understanding their directives and ensuring they are honored within legal and ethical frameworks. I would facilitate discussions among healthcare providers, the patient, and family members to clarify the patient’s wishes and mediate any conflicts. If disagreements arise, I would prioritize the patient’s expressed values, ensuring their dignity and preferences are maintained. This approach promotes trust, reduces family distress, and ensures ethically sound care. The benefits include honoring the patient’s autonomy, reducing emotional burden on families, and fostering a respectful healthcare environment.
Conclusion
Engaging in the process of completing an advance directive enhances understanding of the ethical, emotional, and practical aspects of end-of-life care. As social workers, developing skills in communication, advocacy, and ethical decision-making is critical to supporting clients effectively. Respecting patient autonomy while navigating complex ethical issues requires sensitivity, knowledge, and compassion—all essential qualities for effective social work practice in health care settings.
References
American Bar Association. (2017). Guidelines for advance directives and living wills. https://www.americanbar.org/
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Lachs, M. S., & Pillemer, K. (2019). Ethical conflicts in end-of-life decisions. The New England Journal of Medicine, 381(7), 668-674.
Sharma, P., & Khandelwal, S. (2020). Communication skills in medical social work. Social Work in Healthcare, 39(6), 575-589.
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Taylor, R. S., & McGregor, G. (2018). Facilitating advance directive discussions: Challenges and strategies. Journal of Social Work Practice, 32(4), 485-498.
Wright, A. A., et al. (2021). Ethical dilemmas at the intersection of autonomy and beneficence in palliative care. Annals of Internal Medicine, 174(8), 1152-1158.