Develop, in detail, a situation in which a health care worker might be confronted with ethical problems related to patients and prescription drug use OR patients in a state of poverty.
- Your scenario must be original to you and this assignment. It cannot be from the discussion boards in this class or any other previous forum.
- Articulate (and then assess) the ethical solutions that can found using “care” (care-based ethics) and “rights” ethics to those problems.
- Assessment must ask if the solutions are flawed, practicable, persuasive, etc.
- What health care technology is involved in the situation? What moral guidelines for using that kind of healthcare technology should be used there? Explore such guidelines also using utilitarianism, Kantian deontology, ethical egoism, or social contract ethics.
- Say how social technologies such as blogs, crowdfunding, online encyclopedias can be used in either case. What moral guidelines for using that kind of healthcare technology should be used there? Develop such guidelines also using utilitarianism, Kantian deontology, ethical egoism, or social contract ethics.
You should not be using any text you used in a discussion board or assignment for this class or any previous class.
Cite the textbook and incorporate outside sources, including citations.
Requirements
- Length: 2-3 pages (not including title page or references page)
- 1-inch margins
- Double spaced
- 12-point Times New Roman font
- Title page
- References page (minimum of 2 scholarly sources)
Title: Ethical Dilemmas in Healthcare: Prescription Drug Use and Patients in Poverty
Introduction: In the realm of healthcare, professionals often encounter complex ethical dilemmas that require careful consideration and balanced decision-making. One such scenario involves patients grappling with prescription drug use amidst poverty. This essay delves into an original situation where a healthcare worker navigates the ethical challenges presented by patients in poverty and their prescription drug needs. We will explore ethical solutions rooted in care-based ethics and rights ethics, evaluate their feasibility, and discuss the involvement of healthcare technology and social technologies in addressing these issues.
Scenario: Consider a community health clinic situated in a low-income neighborhood. Maria, a dedicated nurse practitioner, oversees patient care at the clinic. One day, she encounters Sarah, a single mother of three children, who has been struggling with chronic pain due to a debilitating medical condition. Sarah is unable to afford her prescribed pain medication due to financial constraints exacerbated by her low-income status.
Ethical Solutions:
- Care-Based Ethics: Maria approaches the situation from a care-based ethics perspective, emphasizing empathy, compassion, and attentiveness to Sarah’s needs. She takes the time to listen to Sarah’s concerns, assess her pain management options, and explore alternative treatments that align with Sarah’s values and preferences. Maria collaborates with other healthcare professionals to provide holistic care and support to address Sarah’s physical and emotional well-being.
Assessment: The care-based approach prioritizes the individual’s well-being and fosters a therapeutic relationship between the healthcare provider and the patient. While commendable, this solution may encounter challenges in resource-constrained settings where access to comprehensive care is limited.
- Rights Ethics: From a rights ethics standpoint, Maria acknowledges Sarah’s fundamental right to access essential healthcare services, including prescription medications, regardless of her socioeconomic status. She advocates for policies that promote equitable access to healthcare and challenges systemic barriers that perpetuate healthcare disparities among marginalized populations.
Assessment: Rights ethics offer a principled framework for advocating for social justice and addressing healthcare inequities. However, implementation may face resistance from bureaucratic structures and economic interests that prioritize cost containment over patient welfare.
Healthcare Technology: In this scenario, healthcare technology plays a crucial role in facilitating access to prescription medications and enhancing patient care. Electronic health records (EHRs) enable seamless communication and coordination among healthcare providers, ensuring continuity of care for patients like Sarah.
Moral Guidelines: Utilitarianism advocates for the use of healthcare technology to maximize overall well-being by improving efficiency, reducing medical errors, and enhancing patient outcomes. Kantian deontology emphasizes the importance of respecting patient autonomy and confidentiality in the use of EHRs, prioritizing ethical principles over utilitarian considerations.
Social Technologies: Social technologies, such as crowdfunding platforms and online support communities, offer avenues for mobilizing resources and fostering solidarity among individuals facing healthcare challenges, including those related to prescription drug access and poverty.
Moral Guidelines: Ethical egoism posits that individuals have a moral duty to act in their self-interest, but in the context of social technologies, this should be balanced with altruistic considerations that prioritize the common good. Social contract ethics underscores the importance of collaborative efforts to address societal issues, highlighting the reciprocal obligations of individuals and communities in leveraging social technologies for healthcare advocacy and support.
Conclusion: Addressing ethical dilemmas in healthcare, particularly concerning prescription drug use and patients in poverty, requires a multifaceted approach grounded in ethical principles and informed by technological advancements. By integrating care-based ethics and rights ethics into clinical practice, healthcare professionals can strive to uphold the dignity and well-being of all patients, regardless of their socioeconomic status. Additionally, leveraging healthcare and social technologies responsibly can enhance access to essential medications and promote community engagement in addressing systemic healthcare challenges. As we navigate these complex ethical landscapes, it is imperative to remain vigilant in advocating for equitable healthcare policies and practices that prioritize the needs of the most vulnerable members of society.
References:
- Beauchamp, T. L., & Childress, J. F. (2019). Principles of Biomedical Ethics. Oxford University Press.
- Emanuel, E. J., & Emanuel, L. L. (1992). Four models of the physician-patient relationship. JAMA, 267(16), 2221-2226.