Ethics in Healthcare
How does your worldview influence your understanding of ethics?
Worldview is a combination of beliefs that are considered principally grounded in every individual’s heart and mind regardless of whether they are in effect to them or not or even they realize it or not. Ultimately, people live their lives based on worldview (Rhodes, Rosamond, 46). Henceforth, a fundamental aspect of everyone’s worldview is ethics, which can be described as the definition of wrong and right in life. People generally have a diverse perception of ethics and they base it on different factors such as religious beliefs, feelings or emotions, the law, as well as the standards of behaviour that is acceptable to a given society.
As for me, I believe that a personal worldview is made up of the basic concepts or assumptions that an individual has of the world. People’s worldview gives the structure to the actions, thoughts and ideologies of a person. They provide answers to preliminary issues such as the meaning of life, whether one has a belief of a higher deity or power, and perceptions of good and evil. I believe that my worldview influences my comprehension of ethics majorly through shaping my character and personality. Factors that influence how one looks at the world include the community and environment in which one grew up in, how one was raised and one’s culture.
Why is ethics important for health care?
In health care and medicine, the main focus is not only on the advancement of knowledge and skills in medical care, but also it is fundamental to reflect on the ethical and moral dimensions of the advances in these fields to enhance general public health efforts. There are ethical theories which are considered relevant in healthcare such as deontology and utilitarianism (Ferrie, Suzie, 1130. According to the deontological ethical theories, when making any decision concerning ethics, people should stick to their duties and obligations. It implies that an individual should adhere to his/her obligations and duties to another or society since what is regarded ethically right is upholding one’s duty and obligation. The benefit of following this theory is that an individual produces consistent decisions as they are based on one’s already set duties. Following utilitarian ethical theories, it is based on an individual’s ability to speculate the consequences of the specific action. Ultimately, the ethically right choice is the one that provides the greatest advantage to most people.
Comprehending these ethical theories in healthcare is important as it has the potential to inform and shape patients’ healthcare, enables the medical staff to be more informed on issues to do with moral disagreement and know has to solve them effectively, as well as limit bad practice. Additionally, ethical standards advance the core objective of healthcare which is to ease suffering of patients. Also, communication between healthcare staffs, patients and families of patients is crucial. Ethics enhance essential values to effective communication such as accountability, fair health care, mutual respect and trust. Some ethical standards that promote effective communication and respect for patients include maintaining confidentiality, informed consent, and protection of privacy. Moreover, ethics in healthcare promotes building of public support, as people would more likely donate to projects which are health-promoting if they trust the integrity and quality of the programs (Monteverde, Settinio, 390). Furthermore, ethics in healthcare enhances collaborative work and values of cooperation among the workers, providing them with a healthy work environment characterized with accountability, fairness, mutual respect and trust. Lastly, it promotes other fundamental social values and moral including human rights, compliance with law, social responsibility, patients’ safety and welfare.
What does it mean to be a patient advocate, and why is that important?
A patient advocate, also called a patient navigator, refers to a person who assists a patient by guiding them through the system of healthcare. It incorporates assisting them in analyzing the diagnosis, screening, follow-up, and treatment of a medical condition like chronic illnesses such as cancer. A patient advocate assists the patient in communicating with the healthcare staff to enable them to acquire information necessary in decision making concerning their health care (Bernal, Ellen, 18). Additionally, they can assist patients in setting up appointments for medical tests and doctor visits, as well as acquiring legal, financial, and social support. Moreover, patient advocates liaise with insurance companies, lawyers, case managers, employers, and others who may impact the healthcare needs of a patient.
However, it is important to note that patient advocates only assist patients in making their own choices. Autonomy is a principle in ethics of healthcare that can be defined as the right of every individual in making their own decision and choices concerning healthcare. Therefore, if healthcare personnel fail to advocate for their patients, then they are stripping them of their autonomy and going against ethics. Besides, another ethical principle in healthcare is non-maleficence which refers to not harming a patient. Nonetheless, not advocating for a patient causes harm to them hence unethical.
In your own words, what is compassionate nursing?
Compassionate nursing can be defined as the act of being empathetic to a patient’s suffering and pain. The word compassion can be described as sympathetic awareness of the distress of another person with an inclination to ease it. However, in terms of nursing, compassionate care is not only alleviating suffering but also entering the experience of a patient and allowing them to maintain their dignity and independence (Ferrie, Suzie, 115). Compassionate nursing incorporates not only competent care from a nurse which includes the necessary knowledge and skills to treat a patient but also caring outwardly through deeds and actions that comprises the relationship’s emotional aspects. The outcome of a patient is affected significantly by compassionate nursing. Compassionate nursing enables a patient to be more comfortable when they feel ill, experience pain, or suffering from emotional or mental stress.
How can you avoid burnout as a medical practitioner related to emotional turmoil?
A medical practitioner experiencing depersonalization, emotional exhaustion, loss of meaning in work, or decreased sense of accomplishment are signs of suffering from burnout. Burnout can lead to, at home, increased difficulties in a relationship, and at work, deterioration in professional behaviour. Ways in which one can avoid burnout as a medical practitioner related to emotional turmoil include engaging in restorative activities and regular exercise (Rhodes, Rosamond, 51). Additionally, it is important to spend time with family and friends as it is a vital aspect of self-care. Also, identifying thoughtfully and systematically the things one is and is not in control of at work to avoid frustration. Furthermore, one should monitor their emotional energy barometer and realizing when one is draining out, then taking action such as taking a break and working towards participating more in restorative activities. Lastly, a medical practitioner should look out for any warning burnout signs, and acquiring professional assistance such as psychological help when necessary.
Works Cited
Bernal, Ellen W. “The Nurse as Patient Advocate.” The Hastings Center Report, vol. 22, no. 4, 1992, p. 18.
Ferrie, Suzie. “A Quick Guide to Ethical Theory in Healthcare: Solving Ethical Dilemmas in Nutrition Support Situations.” Nutrition in Clinical Practice, vol. 21, no. 2, 2006, pp. 113-117.
Monteverde, Settimio. “Undergraduate healthcare ethics education, moral resilience, and the role of ethical theories.” Nursing Ethics, vol. 21, no. 4, 2013, pp. 385-401.
Rhodes, Rosamond. “The Distinctive Ethics of Medicine.” The Trusted Doctor, 2020, pp. 44-69.