This article is an in-depth summary of ethical dilemma in healthcare examples and solutions. Health care ethical problems are far too many cases where the health care provider is seemingly yanked in opposite directions by two diametrically opposing moral choices in practice. For example, a client may demand treatment that the health provider judges are not needed from the medical point of view and potentially causes harmful side effects. This is one scenario in which the caregiver has to balance two dilemmas: that of patient autonomy and the right to choose regarding their care against their duty to offer the best based on professional expertise.

The probable solution to such conflicting ethical issues could be an attempt to involve the patient in making the decision as much as possible. This may involve providing information to the patient, discussing the merits, and drawbacks of the potential risks that the treatment poses and making a decision based on the preferences and values of the patient regarding what should be done for their care. This gives respect to the patient’s autonomy by encouraging and involving a patient in the decision-making process, but at the same time, it upholds one’s duty to provide possible care.

Ethical dilemmas in health care are complex since health workers have to balance the conflict that arises among a patient’s interest, public interest, and professional duties all at the same time.  Our homework writing help will guarantee you a punctual delivery of your paper to meet deadline.

What is an example of an Ethical Dilemma in Healthcare?

One such case of an ethical dilemma in healthcare  that may arise is the matter of assisted suicide. Euthanasia is also known as assisting or aiding in the act by which a terminally ill patient deliberately and on purpose takes his or her own life as a means to relieve pain and suffering. This may raise contention since some people view it as an impairment to the sanctity of life and others view it as a kind approach to those who are suffering. Undoubtedly, the health practitioners will experience a hard time when making decisions to assist a patient in terminating their life; this will be a conflict between their duties in relieving suffering and upholding life.

Another applicable relevant  nursing ethical dilemma  is the allocation of scarce medical resources. Health care resources are limited, for example in terms of organs available for transplants or a kind of life-prolonging treatment. This can lead to ethical questions about how these kinds of resources should be apportioned evenly among the patients. Such dilemmas land health care providers in critical situations where they have to make decisions about the critical decisions on whom to give the resource when it is too scarce and hence deny other patients by drawing the line on reasons for doing so, including age, prognosis, and social status.

What are the top 5 Ethical Issues in Healthcare?

These top 5 ethical issues will make your assignment writing thrilling. Patient confidentiality is an issue on the healthcare ethics that borders on the patient’s privacy and other information. The medical professionals that offer health services are obligated to maintain the privacy of the patients isolated from the other patients and within the premises. The information or data on the patient’s records or any other report presented is only disclosed to persons with granted authority and the right to know, mistrust can be easily developed between the patient and the healthcare professional, hence affecting the quality of care.

End-of-life care is yet another ethical issue in healthcare, given some of the critical decision-making involved during the approach to the end of a patient’s life. There need to be considerations sustained in caring for patients nearing life’s end on issues such as their willingness, quality of life, and pain management. The professionals need to do their best in ensuring the patients receive sympathetic as well as respectful care in this painful time.

It is that hard ethical issue in health care that grapples with setting up a way of distributing limited resources, including organs for transplanting, medication, or medical equipment. Health practitioners are under an obligation to make decisions based on ethical principles that include maximizing benefits for the greatest number of people with other factors like fairness and justice. It is important that health practitioners put forward the needs of their clients and share the resources at hand justly and equitably.

Informed consent stands out as one of the critical ethical issues in the health sector for acquiring permission from patients before proceeding with the set medical procedure or treatment. Informed consent should be done only after the health provider has made sure that the patient comprehends the indicated risks, benefits, and alternatives available concerning a recommended treatment or the carrying out of a particular procedure. Informed consent allows patients to make decisions concerning their own health care, making them assured active participants in their care.

Genomic testing is a novel ethical issue in healthcare, categorized under patient risk assessment for certain diseases or developed conditions using their genetic information. The health care provider should ensure the patients understand that genetic testing puts their health status, insurance cover, and privacy at stake. Health care providers should, therefore, educate their patients on genetic testing but maintain respect for their autonomy in deciding to do so.

How do you resolve Ethical Dilemmas in Healthcare?

While it can really be challenging for someone to find their way through an ethical dilemma in healthcare, there are still some most important ways to get over and resolve it. One of the relieving ways is by considering multiperspectivity of the actual situation. This would also go a long way in enabling one to better understand the ethical issues at stake by looking through the eyes of the various people in the scenario such as the patient, the health care provider, and other family members. This will then provide for a better alternative that is made with more thought consideration for the needs and views of those involved.

A more important way to solve ethical dilemmas in healthcare is by consulting with others. Speaking with colleagues, supervisors, and ethics committees will shed a different light on the issue, while this might help you measure the pros and cons of various courses of action. It can also make sure any decisions made are in line with the professional standards and guidelines. Sometimes collaboration, communication, and interaction with others will be the gateway to finding a good solution—one that is ethically satisfying to all involved.

The other considerations arising from the above are the ethical principles underlying health care, such as respect for the autonomy of another person; beneficence; non maleficence; and justice. Considering philosophical application of those principles in the current scenario will thus put you in an enabler’s position to understand the emerging ethical questions therein and sort out results of alternative answers on the table. Application of some principles, such as whether or not a given treatment is respectful to patient autonomy or beneficial while causing the least harm toward problematic ethical zone choices, may direct.

Finally, solve an ethical dilemma in the context of your own values, beliefs, an understanding of your own ethical standpoint, and how it could impact your decision-making, and therefore be assured of congruence of your values and professional obligations in your actions

Which Ethical Dilemmas are you most concerned about facing in your Nursing Practice?

As either a nurse in my nursing career, the central ethical issues in nursing practice important to me include patient confidentiality and patient autonomy. Patient confidentiality is one of the key aspects of nursing ethics because it is from that background that trust with the patients is created. However, in some instances, necessary breaches in the same would be imperative, like when a patient is likely to cause harm to him/herself or others. To me, my central importance lies in knowing well how to balance between the respect for the privacy of the patient and ensuring safety.
Another ethical dilemma that I am worried about is being an advocate for patient autonomy. Patient autonomy, in this case, involves the right of a patient to make decisions concerning their health that are well informed. This is where, as a nurse, one encounters instances where a patient may be incapacitated or suffering from a disease that may be in conflict with my view of what may be in their best interest. In such scenarios, it becomes my role to respect the patient’s autonomy to make decisions regarding their care, informed and guided. On the whole, dealing with issues around the ethical dilemma that occurs in nursing practice, therefore, requires an understanding of professional ethics attached to values in a patient-centred care approach.

Conclusion

Knowing, then solving, an ethical dilemma in health care—perhaps with examples and solutions—is important in the light of maintaining the trust and the credibility that exists within health care. You should now be able to comprehend and answer the following illustrative examples, which come with health care ethical dilemma answer keys, because they bear some hope of confidence and integrity. Prepare by making use of available, structured processes and ethical resources. Remember— reflection and learning from each experience strengthen your ethical decision-making.
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