Develop a solution to a specific ethical dilemma faced by a health care professional by applying ethical principles. Describe the issues and a possible solution . Access the Ethical Case Studies media piece to review the case studies you will be using for this assessment. Purchase the answer to view it

Introduction

Ethical dilemmas are a common occurrence in the field of healthcare. These dilemmas arise when healthcare professionals are faced with conflicting ethical principles or when their actions may have potential harm to patients. In this assignment, we will focus on a specific ethical dilemma faced by a healthcare professional and apply ethical principles to develop a solution.

The ethical dilemma we will be examining is the issue of informed consent in medical procedures. Informed consent is a fundamental ethical principle that requires healthcare professionals to obtain the permission of patients before performing any treatment or procedure. It ensures that patients have a clear understanding of the risks, benefits, and alternatives to a particular intervention, allowing them to make autonomous decisions about their healthcare.

However, in certain situations, there may be circumstances that complicate the process of obtaining informed consent. For example, a healthcare professional may encounter a patient with limited decision-making capacity or a patient who is unable to fully comprehend the information provided. In these cases, healthcare professionals are faced with a challenging ethical dilemma of balancing patient autonomy with the duty to provide necessary care.

Ethical Issues

The ethical issue in this case revolves around the conflict between respecting patient autonomy and providing necessary care. Patient autonomy is a central ethical principle that emphasizes an individual’s right to make decisions about their own healthcare. Informed consent is rooted in this principle, as it allows patients to have control over their own bodies and medical treatments.

However, in situations where patients lack decision-making capacity or understanding, healthcare professionals must make decisions on their behalf. This raises questions about whether it is ethically permissible to override a patient’s autonomy in the name of providing necessary care. The duty to provide care and treatment conflicts with the principle of autonomy, posing a significant ethical dilemma.

Possible Solution

To resolve this ethical dilemma, healthcare professionals can apply a combination of ethical principles, including respect for autonomy, beneficence, and justice.

Firstly, healthcare professionals should prioritize patient autonomy whenever possible. This means making every effort to obtain informed consent from the patient or, in situations where the patient lacks decision-making capacity, involving a designated surrogate decision-maker or legal authority. Healthcare professionals should ensure that patients have access to all relevant information and provide clear explanations to facilitate understanding.

However, in cases where a patient lacks decision-making capacity and there is an urgent need for medical intervention, healthcare professionals may need to override the patient’s autonomy in the best interest of their health. This is guided by the principle of beneficence, which requires healthcare professionals to act in the best interest of the patient.

In such situations, healthcare professionals should consult with a multi-disciplinary team, including ethics committees or legal experts, to ensure that decisions are made in a fair and just manner. The principle of justice dictates that healthcare decisions should be equitable and unbiased, considering both the individual needs of the patient and the broader societal implications.

Additionally, healthcare professionals should engage in ongoing communication and collaboration with patients and their families to ensure transparency and understanding. They should provide adequate education and support to help patients and their families make informed decisions whenever possible.

Conclusion

Informed consent is a crucial ethical principle in healthcare, but it can present challenges when patients lack decision-making capacity or understanding. Healthcare professionals must navigate the complex terrain of balancing patient autonomy with the duty to provide necessary care.

By applying a combination of ethical principles such as respect for autonomy, beneficence, and justice, healthcare professionals can develop a solution to this ethical dilemma. This involves prioritizing patient autonomy while also considering the best interest of the patient when urgent interventions are required. Multi-disciplinary collaboration and ongoing communication with patients and their families are essential for making fair and equitable decisions in healthcare.