As a member of the Nursing Ethics committee in your organization you have been asked to create a poster presentation for the nursing staff breakroom for display during the upcoming Nurses’ Week. You look forward to this opportunity to share your passion for ethics in a creative way. The poster presentation should feature ethical principles, theories, and standards that guide ethical nursing practice pertaining to a current real world controversial healthcare situation in your workplace or current news.

QUESTION

Scenario

As a member of the Nursing Ethics committee in your organization you have been asked to create a poster presentation for the nursing staff breakroom for display during the upcoming Nurses’ Week. You look forward to this opportunity to share your passion for ethics in a creative way. The poster presentation should feature ethical principles, theories, and standards that guide ethical nursing practice pertaining to a current real world controversial healthcare situation in your workplace or current news.

Instructions:

Include the following detail in your poster presentation:

Summarize the controversial healthcare situation chosen from your workplace or current news.

Explain five ethical principles associated with the controversial healthcare situation.

Compare and contrast two theoretical frameworks as they relate to the controversial healthcare situation.

Explain how five of the nine provisions of the ANA Code of Ethics for Nurses relate to and could impact the healthcare decisions made by nurses or clients in healthcare decisions that pertain to the controversial healthcare situation.

Formal style reflected throughout the document, including spelling/ grammar checks, APA format, references and in text citations. Web addresses included in references

ANSWER

 Five Ethical Principles Associated with the Controversial Healthcare Situation

Introduction

In the realm of healthcare, various complex and controversial situations arise, raising ethical dilemmas that require careful consideration. These ethical dilemmas often involve balancing competing interests, such as patient autonomy, justice, beneficence, non-maleficence, and resource allocation. This essay explores five ethical principles associated with controversial healthcare situations, providing insights into their significance and implications.

 Patient Autonomy

Patient autonomy is a fundamental ethical principle that emphasizes an individual’s right to make decisions regarding their own healthcare. It recognizes the inherent dignity and self-determination of patients, ensuring their voices are heard and respected. In controversial healthcare situations, respecting patient autonomy can become challenging, particularly when conflicting values or cultural norms are at play (Entwistle et al., 2010). Healthcare professionals must navigate delicate issues, such as reproductive rights, end-of-life decisions, and informed consent, with the utmost sensitivity and adherence to ethical standards.

Justice

The principle of justice focuses on fairness and equality in healthcare delivery. It calls for the equitable distribution of healthcare resources, access to quality care, and the elimination of discrimination or bias. Controversial situations may arise when limited resources necessitate difficult choices regarding who receives care and who does not. Healthcare providers must strive to allocate resources fairly, based on objective criteria, while considering factors like severity of illness, prognosis, and overall public health impact. Balancing individual needs with societal interests is crucial for maintaining justice within healthcare systems.

Beneficence

Beneficence entails promoting the well-being and welfare of patients, emphasizing the duty of healthcare professionals to act in their patients’ best interests. However, controversial situations may arise when differing perspectives emerge regarding what constitutes the “best” course of action. Medical advancements, such as genetic testing, organ transplantation, and experimental treatments, often provoke ethical debates about the potential benefits and risks involved. Healthcare providers must carefully weigh the potential benefits against the potential harms, while involving patients in decision-making processes to ensure beneficence is upheld.

Non-maleficence

Non-maleficence, or the principle of “do no harm,” requires healthcare professionals to avoid causing unnecessary harm to patients. Controversial healthcare situations often involve delicate ethical considerations where interventions or treatments may have unintended adverse effects (Gillon, 1985). Ethical debates frequently arise in areas such as medical research involving human subjects, experimental treatments, and controversial medical procedures. Healthcare professionals must navigate these situations ethically, ensuring that the potential benefits outweigh the risks, and that patients are fully informed about potential harms and alternatives.

 Resource Allocation

Resource allocation is an ethical principle that addresses the challenge of distributing limited healthcare resources efficiently and fairly. Controversial situations often arise when resources, such as organs for transplantation, medications, or hospital beds, are scarce relative to demand. Ethical frameworks, such as utilitarianism or egalitarianism, offer different perspectives on how to allocate resources (The Concept of Value in Resource Allocation on JSTOR, n.d.). Healthcare systems must develop transparent and fair allocation policies, considering factors like medical need, urgency, prognosis, and overall societal impact. Ensuring accountability and avoiding biases is essential in maintaining public trust and ethical integrity.

Conclusion

In the complex world of healthcare, ethical dilemmas are bound to emerge, challenging healthcare professionals, policymakers, and society at large. By adhering to ethical principles such as patient autonomy, justice, beneficence, non-maleficence, and resource allocation, healthcare systems can navigate controversial situations with integrity and ensure the best possible outcomes for patients. Embracing these principles promotes transparency, fairness, and patient-centered care, fostering trust and preserving the ethical foundation of healthcare practice.

References

Entwistle, V., Carter, S. M., Cribb, A., & McCaffery, K. (2010). Supporting Patient Autonomy: The Importance of Clinician-patient Relationships. Journal of General Internal Medicine, 25(7), 741–745. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11606-010-1292-2 

Gillon, R. (1985). “Primum non nocere” and the principle of non-maleficence. BMJ, 291(6488), 130–131. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.291.6488.130 

The Concept of Value in Resource Allocation on JSTOR. (n.d.). https://www.jstor.org/stable/3146184