No More Worries!


Our orders are delivered strictly on time without delay

Paper Formatting

  • Double or single-spaced
  • 1-inch margin
  • 12 Font Arial or Times New Roman
  • 300 words per page

No Lateness!

image Our orders are delivered strictly on time without delay

AEW Guarantees

image

  • Free Unlimited revisions
  • Guaranteed Privacy
  • Money Return guarantee
  • Plagiarism Free Writing

Ethical Dilemma in Healthcare: A Case Study Analysis

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 in a paper of 3-5 pages.
INSTRUCTION

Note: The requirements outlined below correspond to the grading criteria in the scoring guide. At a minimum, be sure to address each point. In addition, you are encouraged to review the performance-level descriptions for each criterion to see how your work will be assessed.

For this assessment, develop a solution to a specific ethical dilemma faced by a health care professional. In your assessment:

Select one of the case studies presented in the resource.
Note: The case study may not supply all of the information you need. In such cases, you should consider a variety of possibilities and infer potential conclusions. However, please be sure to identify any assumptions or speculations you make.
Summarize the facts in the selected case study and use the three components of an ethical decision-making model to analyze an ethical problem or issue and the factors that contributed to it.
Identify which case study you selected and briefly summarize the facts surrounding it. Identify the problem or issue that presents an ethical dilemma or challenge and describe that dilemma or challenge.
Identify who is involved or affected by the ethical problem or issue.
Access the media piece and use the three components of the ethical decision-making model (moral awareness, moral judgment, and ethical behavior) to analyze the ethical issues.
Apply the three components outlined in the Ethical Decision-Making Model media.
Analyze the factors that contributed to the ethical problem or issue identified in the case study.
Describe the factors that contributed to the problem or issue and explain how they contributed.
Apply academic peer-reviewed journal articles relevant to an ethical problem or issue as evidence to support an analysis of the case.
In addition to the readings provided, use the Capella library to locate at least one academic peer-reviewed journal article relevant to the problem or issue that you can use to support your analysis of the situation. The will help you locate appropriate references. You will select at least one current scholarly or academic peer-reviewed journal articles published during the past 35 years that relate to your topic.
Cite and apply key principles from the journal article as evidence to support your critical thinking and analysis of the ethical problem or issue.
Review the resource.
Assess the credibility of the information source.
Assess the relevance of the information source.
Discuss the effectiveness of the communication approaches present in a case study.
Describe how the health care professional in the case study communicated with others.
Assess instances where the professional communicated effectively or ineffectively.
Explain which communication approaches should be used and which ones should be avoided.
Describe the consequences of using effective and non-effective communication approaches.
Discuss the effectiveness of the approach used by a professional to deal with problems or issues involving ethical practice in a case study.
Describe the actions taken in response to the ethical dilemma or issue presented in the case study.
Summarize how well the professional managed professional responsibilities and priorities to resolve the problem or issue in the case.
Discuss the key lessons this case provides for health care professionals.
Apply ethical principles to a possible solution to an ethical problem or issue described in a case study.
Describe the proposed solution.
Discuss how the approach makes this professional more effective or less effective in building relationships across disciplines within his or her organization.
Discuss how likely it is the proposed solution will foster professional collaboration.
Write clearly and logically, with correct use of spelling, grammar, punctuation, and mechanics.
Apply the principles of effective composition.
Determine the proper application of the rules of grammar and mechanics.
Write using APA style for in-text citations, quotes, and references.
Determine the proper application of APA formatting requirements and scholarly writing standards.
Integrate information from outside sources into academic writing by appropriately quoting, paraphrasing, and summarizing, following APA style.

 

Sample Answer

 

Ethical Dilemma in Healthcare: A Case Study Analysis

Introduction

In the complex field of healthcare, professionals often confront ethical dilemmas that challenge their values, responsibilities, and the well-being of their patients. One pertinent case study highlights a situation where a nurse faces a moral conflict regarding patient confidentiality and the obligation to report suspected abuse. This paper will analyze the ethical dilemma using an ethical decision-making model, discuss the communication strategies employed, and propose a solution rooted in ethical principles.

Selected Case Study Summary

The selected case study revolves around a nurse named Sarah who works in a pediatric unit. During a routine check-up, she notices bruises on a child, which raises her suspicion of potential abuse. The child, however, is reluctant to disclose any information, indicating fear of repercussions. Sarah is faced with an ethical dilemma: should she maintain patient confidentiality, as the child wishes, or report her suspicions to the authorities, thereby potentially jeopardizing the child’s trust and safety?

Ethical Dilemma Identification

The ethical dilemma centers on the conflict between two core obligations: maintaining patient confidentiality and ensuring the safety and well-being of a vulnerable child. Sarah’s professional ethics compel her to respect the child’s autonomy and confidentiality, while her moral duty as a caregiver pushes her to protect the child from potential harm.

Stakeholders Involved

The primary stakeholders in this scenario include:

– Sarah (the nurse): Responsible for providing care while adhering to ethical standards.
– The Child: Vulnerable and potentially at risk; their wishes and well-being are central to the dilemma.
– The Parents or Guardians: Their involvement or potential culpability in the suspected abuse.
– The Healthcare Facility: Holds legal and ethical responsibilities regarding patient safety and reporting requirements.

Ethical Decision-Making Model Application

To systematically analyze this ethical dilemma, we will apply the three components of the Ethical Decision-Making Model: moral awareness, moral judgment, and ethical behavior.

1. Moral Awareness

Moral awareness involves recognizing that there is an ethical issue that needs to be addressed. In Sarah’s case, her awareness is heightened by her training and experiences as a nurse. The noticeable bruises on the child trigger her moral compass to consider abuse as a possibility. However, she must also grapple with the child’s expressed desire for confidentiality, creating an internal conflict.

2. Moral Judgment

This stage involves evaluating the options available and making a decision based on ethical principles. Sarah must weigh the principles of beneficence (acting in the best interest of the child) against autonomy (the child’s right to privacy). In this scenario, Sarah’s moral judgment leans towards reporting the suspected abuse due to her responsibility for protecting vulnerable patients. The ethical principle of nonmaleficence (do no harm) suggests that failing to report could lead to further harm for the child.

3. Ethical Behavior

Ethical behavior refers to acting upon moral judgments made in previous steps. If Sarah decides to report her suspicions, she must do so following established protocols within her healthcare facility while ensuring she documents her observations accurately. This step is crucial for maintaining professional integrity and safeguarding the child’s welfare.

Contributing Factors to the Ethical Issue

Several factors contribute to this ethical dilemma:

– Fear of Repercussions: The child’s reluctance to speak may stem from fear of punishment or separation from family.
– Professional Training: Sarah’s training emphasizes patient autonomy but also highlights mandatory reporting laws for suspected abuse.
– Organizational Policies: The healthcare facility’s policies regarding reporting can either support or hinder Sarah’s decision-making process.

Literature Review

Research indicates that healthcare professionals often face challenges when navigating ethical dilemmas involving vulnerable populations. According to an article by Beauchamp and Childress (2019), nurses must balance their obligations to patients with their responsibilities as mandated reporters. This balance is crucial for ethical practice in healthcare settings.

Communication Effectiveness

Effective communication is vital in resolving ethical dilemmas. In this case study, Sarah’s communication with the child is critical. While she respects the child’s wishes initially, she must also provide reassurance about her intentions to keep the child safe.

Effective Communication Strategies

– Active Listening: Engaging with the child empathetically can foster trust.
– Clear Explanation: Sarah should communicate her concerns honestly while explaining the necessity of reporting potential abuse.

Ineffective Communication Strategies

– Pressure: Forcing the child to speak can lead to mistrust and reluctance to disclose important information.
– Ambiguity: Failing to clarify her role or intentions may confuse the child and exacerbate fear.

Proposed Solution

To effectively address this ethical dilemma, Sarah should prioritize open communication with the child while fulfilling her obligation as a mandated reporter. She could approach the child gently and explain that her primary concern is their safety.

Implementation Steps:

1. Engage in Dialogue: Sarah should create a safe space for the child to express their feelings without fear.
2. Educate on Reporting: Explain what reporting entails and reassure that it is meant for their protection.
3. Consult with Supervisors: Seek guidance from her supervisors regarding reporting procedures while ensuring confidentiality in communication.

Conclusion

Navigating ethical dilemmas in healthcare requires a careful balance of competing obligations. In Sarah’s case, applying an ethical decision-making model reveals the complexities surrounding patient confidentiality and mandatory reporting. Effective communication can mitigate fear for vulnerable patients while ensuring their safety. By prioritizing both ethical responsibilities and compassionate care, healthcare professionals can uphold their commitment to patient welfare while fostering trust across disciplines within their organizations. The lessons learned from this case underscore the importance of clear communication and ethical reasoning in managing professional responsibilities effectively.

References

Beauchamp, T. L., & Childress, J. F. (2019). Principles of Biomedical Ethics (7th ed.). Oxford University Press.

(Additional peer-reviewed journal articles should be added here in APA format as required.)

 

 

 

This question has been answered.

Get Answer
PLACE AN ORDER NOW

Compute Cost of Paper

Subject:
Type:
Pages/Words:
Single spaced
approx 275 words per page
Urgency:
Level:
Currency:
Total Cost:

Our Services

image

  • Research Paper Writing
  • Essay Writing
  • Dissertation Writing
  • Thesis Writing

Why Choose Us

image

  • Money Return guarantee
  • Guaranteed Privacy
  • Written by Professionals
  • Paper Written from Scratch
  • Timely Deliveries
  • Free Amendments