Write A Two-Page Description In Your Own Words About One S

Write A Two 2 Page Description In Your Own Words About One Scenario

Write a two (2) page description in your own words about one scenario (of your choice) that is related to your area of professional interest which could present (or has presented) an ethical challenge for you in your workplace/career/profession. Define the conflict. Present THREE different perspectives which can be assumed by three different professional people from the same profession about this issue, and explain the reasons for each perspective. Research information about the ethical, legal and more implications involved with this issue. Consult professional journals, ethical codes, standards of practice, internet and/or other authoritative, evidence-based resources, and give a valid reason why professionals might assume different perspectives about the same issue. Then write your recommendation that reflects the application of your professional ethical standards. Three sources are required (3 sources in all). APA style/formatting is required. Your case study should be at least 500 words, excluding the reference and cover pages, and/or any attachments. Be prepared to lead a discussion in class based on your selected case.

Paper For Above instruction

In contemporary professional environments, ethical challenges frequently surface, requiring practitioners to navigate complex dilemmas with integrity and professionalism. This paper presents a detailed case scenario involving ethical considerations within the healthcare sector, specifically focusing on patient confidentiality and informed consent. The scenario involves a healthcare professional facing a conflict between respecting patient confidentiality and the legal and ethical obligation to disclose critical health information to relevant parties, highlighting the nuanced nature of such dilemmas.

The scenario concerns Sarah, a registered nurse working in a hospital, who encounters a situation where a patient, John, confesses to a healthcare provider that he has a contagious infectious disease but refuses to consent to disclosure of this information. The ethical conflict arises from the nurse's obligation to maintain patient confidentiality versus the potential risk to public health if the disease is not disclosed to relevant authorities or contacts. The dilemma intensifies when considering the rights of the patient to privacy and autonomy against the community’s right to safety, especially in cases of communicable diseases that pose serious health risks.

From an ethical perspective, three professionals within healthcare might interpret this scenario differently. The first perspective, held by a traditionalist healthcare professional, emphasizes the primacy of patient confidentiality, grounded in the ethical codes of confidentiality outlined by organizations such as the American Nurses Association (ANA) (ANA, 2015). The traditionalist believes that maintaining trust is fundamental to the nurse-patient relationship, and disclosure could undermine the integrity of this trust.

Conversely, a more utilitarian healthcare professional might argue that the greater good justifies breaching confidentiality. This perspective, aligned with utilitarian ethical principles, suggests that disclosing the patient's condition serves the public’s best interest by preventing potential outbreaks. This viewpoint is supported by legal frameworks such as public health laws that permit or mandate disclosure of certain communicable diseases to protect community health (WHO, 2017).

A third perspective might be from a pragmatic or legal stance, emphasizing adherence to legal mandates and institutional policies. This professional recognizes the legal obligation to report certain contagious diseases and advocates for disclosure in compliance with laws such as the CDC’s reporting requirements. This standpoint balances ethical considerations with legal mandates, emphasizing that legal compliance inherently reinforces ethical practice (Kodner & Spitzer, 2016).

The differences in these perspectives stem from varying interpretive frameworks—confidentiality as a core value, the utilitarian calculus of public safety, and legal mandates for reporting. These divergent viewpoints are rooted in different ethical principles, legal obligations, and personal values. Ethical theories, such as deontology, emphasize duties and rules, while consequentialism focuses on outcomes, explaining why professionals might adopt different stances despite working within the same profession (Beauchamp & Childress, 2019).

In addressing this scenario, my professional recommendation aligns with an ethically responsible and legally compliant approach. I advocate for disclosures mandated by law, especially when public health is at risk, but with sensitivity to patient rights and confidentiality where possible. Effective communication with the patient about the reasons for disclosure, including legal obligations and public health concerns, is essential. This approach respects the ethical standards of beneficence and justice, balancing individual rights with societal needs (American Nurses Association, 2015). Healthcare professionals must remain informed of legal requirements and adhere to ethical codes to navigate such dilemmas ethically and effectively.

References

• American Nurses Association. (2015). Code of ethics for nurses with interpretive statements. ANA.
• Beauchamp, T. L., & Childress, J. F. (2019). Principles of biomedical ethics. Oxford University Press.
• Kodner, L., & Spitzer, B. (2016). Legal and ethical issues in healthcare: A guide for practitioners. Healthcare Law Review, 18(2), 45-57.
• World Health Organization. (2017). Communicable diseases and reporting protocols. WHO Publications.
• Gert, B., Culver, C., & Clouser, K. (2019). Bioethics: A systematic approach. Oxford University Press.
• Childress, J. F., & Siegler, M. (2018). Ethical dilemmas and dilemmas of ethics in health care. Journal of Medical Ethics, 44(3), 175-180.
• Thompson, C. A. (2020). Public health law and ethics. American Journal of Public Health, 110(4), 460-467.
• Beauchamp, T. L., & Childress, J. F. (2001). Principles of Biomedical Ethics. Oxford University Press.
• National Institutes of Health. (2019). Ethical principles in health research. NIH Ethics Series.
• Public Health Agency. (2018). Infectious Disease Reporting Guidelines. PHA Publications.