Penelope Chambers
Ms. Jacobs
Reading 101-100
02/28/2018
Ethical Dilemma; The Healthcare Field, Dealing with Life and Death Situations
In the healthcare field, it’s best to abide by the laws, even in situations where you may want to act
according to your own moral values. When I was faced in a situation where life and death matters
come into play, I was sometimes forced to go against my own beliefs, and morals in order to get
things accomplished. In the healthcare field, it's not acceptable to tell a patient that they will be
alright, or that they will live. The reason behind that, is because you cannot say with certainty that the
person will survive. Saying such things will result in termination, or a lawsuit if the person’s family
was able to hear you tell their loved one that they would live.
according to your own moral values. When I was faced in a situation where life and death matters
come into play, I was sometimes forced to go against my own beliefs, and morals in order to get
things accomplished. In the healthcare field, it's not acceptable to tell a patient that they will be
alright, or that they will live. The reason behind that, is because you cannot say with certainty that the
person will survive. Saying such things will result in termination, or a lawsuit if the person’s family
was able to hear you tell their loved one that they would live.
In "The Common Good Approach" written as one of the five sources of Ethical Standards, it
states that “This approach suggests that the interlocking of relationships of society are the
basis of ethical reasoning and that respect and compassion for all others--especially the vulnerable
--are requirements of such reasoning.” (Markkula Center for Applied Ethics at Santa Clara
--are requirements of such reasoning.” (Markkula Center for Applied Ethics at Santa Clara
University. Manuel Velasquez, Dennis Moberg, Michael J. Meyer, Thomas Shanks, Margaret
R. McLean, David DeCosse, Claire André, and Kirk O. Hanson. May 2009. 277). It’s usually
in a caregivers best interest to do their best for the patient, but they also teach you that you need
to put your well being first before that of the patient. I’m usually the type of person that might
to put your well being first before that of the patient. I’m usually the type of person that might
ignore the dangers of a given situation that might put me in harms way, if it could benefit the
health and safety of another. My religion is Christianity, and we often do a lot of work within
the community, so it’s usually just natural for me to rush to someone’s aid without really
considering all the risks involved. Mistakes are bound to happen, as humans are not perfect. I
feel like many people would want to tell a child that is dying that everything will turn out
fine, but if you are in the medical field it goes against what you are told.
Mainly, it’s pertinent that healthcare workers do not break any laws, and abide by the rules to
not deal with the punishment. Even if the situation goes against a healthcare workers values,
religion, or morals. They must not break any rules, as the hippocratic oath is something that is
religion, or morals. They must not break any rules, as the hippocratic oath is something that is
sworn, and going against it is a crime. To elaborate on this; “Stage four (law-and-order): Heinz
should not steal the medicine because the law prohibits stealing, making it illegal, or Heinz
should steal the drug for his wife but also take the prescribed punishment for the crime as well as
paying the druggist what he is owed. Criminals cannot just run around without regard for
paying the druggist what he is owed. Criminals cannot just run around without regard for
the law; actions have consequences.” (Kohlberg, Lawrence (1981). Essays on Moral Development,
Vol. I: The Philosophy of Moral Development. Harper & Row.) Kohlberg sums up the
Vol. I: The Philosophy of Moral Development. Harper & Row.) Kohlberg sums up the
Ethical Dilemmas involving healthcare. I have been in similar situations, where I’ve wanted
to choose to help someone, but if I did it would of went against the laws. Therefore I couldn’t
help a lot of the time, because in doing so I’d of placed myself in many risk type situations in
order to help someone.
Finally I think that it’s everyone’s duty to follow their own beliefs and do what is right, but
also following the laws is necessary so that our society doesn’t go into chaos. We need
structure and social standings in order.
Here is a link to the Hipopocratic Oath- https://hslmcmaster.libguides.com/c.php?g=306726&p=2044095
Here is a link to the Hipopocratic Oath- https://hslmcmaster.libguides.com/c.php?g=306726&p=2044095
https://www.infinithealthcare.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/big-data-healthcare.jpg
Works Cited
Kohlberg, Lawrence (1981). Essays on Moral Development, Vol. I: The Philosophy of Moral
Development. San Francisco, Harper & Row. 285-286
Markkula Center for Applied Ethics at Santa Clara University. Manuel Velasquez, Dennis
Moberg, Michael J. Meyer, Thomas Shanks, Margaret R. McLean, David DeCosse, Claire André, and Kirk O. Hanson.
May 2009. 277
May 2009. 277
"Translation from the Greek by Ludwig Edelstein. From The Hippocratic Oath: Text,
Translation, and Interpretation", by Ludwig Edelstein. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins Press, 1943.
http://dal.ca.libguides.com/c.php?g=256990&p=1717826
I really enjoyed reading your blog it was very informative and truthful. The information you shared is something I really have to take into consideration once my degree is obtained. I know your religion is Christianity, so my question to you is if you were a nurse and you had a friend that you are really close with that says they are in pain, but they were addicted to pain medication, and they wanted you to get them some pain medication and that if you didn't get the medication for them that you guys could no longer be friends. You know they have a problem but you want to help in anyway you can what would you do?
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