Ethical Dilemma Essay Example for Free

Ethical Dilemma EssayAll healthcare professionals take the Hippocratic Oath, in this oath it states that, I will value the privacy of my tolerants, for their problems are not disclosed to me that the world may know. (Miles, S. H. (2004) There are many different versions of this oath but the concept and meaning roll in the hay it remains unchanged. This section of the oath was designed in part to protect patients privacy. Building and establishing a relationship based on self-assurance with our patients is essential in the foundation in providing good quality care. This allows our patients to feel comfortable discussing anything with us and knowing it will be kept confidential. In nursing ethics move a critical role, breaching confidentiality keep have a magnitude of ethical takes including legal issues and patients no longer trusting medical checkup professionals. As healthcare professionals, we are faced with situations daily with an array of ethical, legal and profe ssional responsibilities where we have to use our own personal judgments to protect both our patients but the globe as well.As a legal concept, confidentiality can be said to be an obligation on one person to uphold the privacy and security measure of another persons information. This legal obligation arises in several areas under common law in contract law where these terms can be express terms or implied and as a general legal duty where it could be considered negligent if harm results as a consequence of a breach of confidence. (Cornock 2011). Confidentiality does not override ethical principles in all cases, and some cases it would be considered unethical to not break confidentiality when a legal prerequisite makes a breach mandatory.Nursing encompasses the prevention of illness, the alleviation of suffering, and the protection, promotion, and restoration of health in the care of individuals, families, groups and communities. (ANA 2010) This duty to such an extensive popula tion can irritate obvious conflicts both professionally and personally. Does the right to privacy of our patient over ride a safety concern to our community? In nursing usage nurses are able to use a variety of ethical theories and apply these to patient situations. Deontologic theories hold that you are acting rightly when you act according to duties and rights.In other words, duties and rights are the correct measuring rods for evaluating a course of action and its outcome. (Purtilo 90) People who follow this theory in their clinical practice have really consistent decisions as these are based on their duty. It becomes the healthcare providers duty and obligation to respect and protect a patients confidentiality. By breaching patients confidentiality breaks the trust that was built between patient and provider. Utilitarianism, an act is right if it helps to bring about the take up balance of benefits over burdens, in other words, the lift out utility or consequences overall. (Purtilo 92)This theory would be basing a decision on whether or not the action (breaking or not breaking confidentiality) brings out the best outcome. However, sometimes the best outcome isnt legally correct. In the article Bioethics on NBCs ER Betraying Trust or Providing Good care? When is it ok to Break Confidentiality? by Pamela Nathanson, we see a time when a healthcare provider is faced with an ethical dilemma on whether to break a patients confidentiality in order to protect the patient and the community.Like with any ethical dilemma there are steps that can be employ to help a healthcare provider make a decision or help solve the problem. These steps include 1) gather relevant information, 2) make the type of ethical problem, 3) use ethics theories or approaches to analyze the problem(s), 4) explore the practical alternatives, 5) complete the action, and finally 6) evaluate the process and outcome. (Purtilo pg 102-110) Using this process healthcare professionals are able to make decisions to tough ethical dilemmas that come up in their clinical practice.I agree with Ms. Nathanson that the parents contained to be informed of their daughters diagnosis in order to prevent harm to the patient and ensuring the patient receives proper follow up care. I also agree that the school did not need to be informed of who the student was but to inform the school that it had come to the attention of medical professionals about sex parties going on in the school. By choosing this way you are ensuring the safety of your patient and the community with causing the least amount of damage.If you disclosed to the school who the student was as the nurse did in the convey you risk unnecessary harm to your patient. Ethics committees are made up of members that include a lawyer, an ethicist, quality improvement manager, a nurse, a clergyman, a physician and an individual from within the community. By joining together these members with diverse backgrounds, experiences an d perspectives they are able to come together to help develop different alternatives and discussions regarding ethical dilemmas that may arise. They are able to help provide recommendations in complex and challenging ethical situations.However, these decisions are not law but they do hold plastered significance on influencing a judge or jury. (GCU) As long as health care deals with life and death, ethical dilemmas will come into play for medical professionals everywhere on a daily basis. Due to the nature of the medical profession, complex situations will require fast acting decisions that can be life changing for all parties involved. It is important to have a thorough knowledge of ethical theories and principles in the health care industry so medical professionals are prepared to make these decisions when they are faced with ethical dilemmas.