Applying Ethical Principles
NHS-FPX 4000 Assessment 3
Name
Capella University
NHS4000: Developing a Health Care Perspective
Prof.
February, 2024
Applying Ethical Principles
Healthcare professionals must often consider ethical dilemmas and moral values when making decisions. The four fundamental principles of healthcare ethics are autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, and justice, and they play a crucial role in this process. These principles are crucial benchmarks for ethical and equitable decision-making, guiding medical practitioners and healthcare administrators when navigating complex and dynamic patient care situations (Manderius et al., 2023). By following these ethical guidelines, healthcare professionals can ensure that decisions are made in patients’ best interests while upholding professional integrity. This framework balances patient needs, societal expectations, and medical possibilities.
Overview of the Case Study
Dr. Laura Simmons, a licensed clinical psychologist, has been providing therapy to Alex Turner, a 35-year-old software engineer grappling with severe depression and anxiety. Throughout their six-month sessions, they’ve cultivated a rapport built on trust, enabling Alex to confide his deepest apprehensions and worries. However, in a recent therapy session, Alex discloses troubling thoughts regarding causing harm to a coworker. He explains that this is fueled by a longstanding professional rivalry that recent personal disputes have exacerbated. Alex even shares a concrete plan and genuinely intends to carry out this plan.
Dr. Simmons is in a difficult situation where the principle of confidentiality and the ethical principles of beneficence and non-maleficence challenge a physician’s ability to maintain a trusting relationship with their patient. While Dr. Simmons must respect her patient’s confidentiality, she also must protect others from harm. This balancing act requires her to consider the broader implications of her patient’s revelations and act in her patient’s and the community’s best interests. The decision she must make is not just a professional judgment call but also a moral one that could impact the safety and well-being of everyone involved.
Analysis of Ethical Issues in the Case Study
Dr. Laura Simmons faces an ethical dilemma regarding the confidentiality of her patient, Alex Turner, who has revealed intentions to harm a colleague. While confidentiality is crucial, it conflicts with the psychologist’s duty to protect others when a patient like Alex discloses harmful intentions. Dr. Simmons must balance the need to maintain the therapeutic relationship with the need to prevent harm, acting in the patient’s best interests while avoiding harm to him and others. This situation extends the psychologist’s responsibility to the community’s well-being, raising broader societal and moral implications (Schofield et al., 2021).
Scholarly Insights: Analyzing the Case Study
Three recent peer-reviewed journal articles can support the analysis of Dr. Simmons’ case, each shedding light on different aspects of the ethical dilemma she faces: In the context of Dr. Simmons’ case, a study from BMC Nursing on the ethical considerations of psychiatric mental health nurses provides relevant insights. This study highlights the importance of balancing patient autonomy with the safety of others, a crucial factor in Dr. Simmons’ dilemma. It underscores the need for healthcare professionals to engage in careful ethical considerations, determining which ethical theories and principles take precedence in specific situations. The study reflects on the evolving nature of modern healthcare, which increasingly values patient autonomy yet emphasizes the necessity of making ethically sound decisions that may involve difficult choices, like implementing coercive measures in certain cases (Jansen, 2022). This research supports the analysis of Dr. Simmons’ situation by illustrating the complex interplay of ethical principles in healthcare decision-making, especially in scenarios involving potential harm to others.
Another article from BMC Psychiatry discusses the ethical challenges related to confidentiality and How families can get involved in the treatment of individuals who suffer from psychotic disorders. It highlights the difficulties mental health professionals face in balancing confidentiality with the need for family involvement, especially when patients are competent yet refuse to involve their families. This research is pertinent to Dr. Simmons’ case as it underscores the complexities of confidentiality in mental health care, particularly in situations where information sharing can have significant implications for patient care and safety.
NHS-FPX 4000 Assessment 3 Applying Ethical Principles
“Protecting Privacy to Protect Mental Health: The New Ethical Imperative” is a study from the Journal of Medical Ethics exploring privacy’s importance in mental health treatment and discusses the evolving challenges of maintaining patient confidentiality in digital technology and precision medicine. This article emphasizes the importance of safeguarding psychological health by advocating for a basic right to privacy. Empirical research on privacy examines its functions, implications for psychological development, and growing concerns about control over personal data (Rudolph, 2021). The article concludes with a call for legislative, educational, and research steps to rebalance individual privacy against ‘Big Data’ challenges. This article is pertinent to Dr. Simmons’ case as it highlights the complex landscape of confidentiality in mental health care, especially in the context of modern technological advancements and data privacy concerns.
In the context of Dr. Simmons’s case, there’s an academic article, “Patient Confidentiality,” published in StatPearls. This article focuses on the critical importance of maintaining patient confidentiality in healthcare. It discusses the evolution of privacy laws and regulations in the context of modern information technology, particularly emphasizing the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). The article elaborates on how HIPAA has been enacted to ensure the security and privacy of patient medical data, highlighting its implications for various healthcare professionals and institutions. This resource would be valuable for understanding the legal and ethical frameworks surrounding patient confidentiality, which is highly relevant to the ethical dilemma in mental health care, as seen in Dr. Simmons’ case (Tariq &
Hackert, 2023).
A Comprehensive Evaluation of Effective Communication Approaches in Case Study
In healthcare, effective communication is paramount. The study “Effective communication between nurses and patients: an evolutionary concept analysis” highlights that successful healthcare communication involves mutual understanding and trust between healthcare professionals and patients. This includes active listening, clear and empathetic verbal exchanges, and non-verbal cues. Effective communication leads to better patient outcomes, increased satisfaction, and improved decision-making. Conversely, ineffective communication can result in misunderstandings, decreased patient trust, and potentially negative outcomes. Therefore, healthcare professionals should prioritize open, empathetic, and clear communication methods while avoiding ambiguous, hurried, or non-compassionate approaches (Afriyie, 2022). The consequences of these communication strategies are significant, impacting both patient care quality and overall healthcare experience.
Ethical Decision-Making Model to Assessing Approaches in Case Study
Dr. Simmons effectively used an Ethical Decision-Making Model, considering autonomy, beneficence, and nonmaleficence principles. Her actions included thorough risk assessment, transparent communication, and prioritizing patient safety while maintaining confidentiality. Dr. Simmons managed her professional responsibilities adeptly, balancing ethical considerations with patient care needs. This case underscores the importance of ethical frameworks in guiding healthcare professionals through complex decision-making processes. Key lessons include the significance of clear communication, ethical deliberation, and the balance between patient rights and societal safety in healthcare practice (Hansson et al., 2022).
Resolving Ethical Dilemmas by Applying Ethical Principles to Problem/Issue in Case Study
In the case study, Dr. Simmons applied ethical principles to address the dilemma, balancing patient confidentiality with the principles of beneficence and nonmaleficence. The proposed solution involved a careful risk assessment, followed by a transparent discussion with the patient regarding the need for intervention to ensure safety. This approach enhances Dr. Simmons’ effectiveness by demonstrating a commitment to patient welfare while upholding ethical standards. The proposed solution will likely foster professional collaboration, as it prioritizes patient safety while respecting the patient’s autonomy and rights, aligning with ethical and legal obligations in healthcare practice.
Conclusion
Dr. Simmons’ handling of the ethical dilemma in the case study exemplifies the importance of applying ethical principles in healthcare practice. Through transparent communication, thorough risk assessment, and a commitment to patient welfare, Dr. Simmons effectively balanced the principles of autonomy, beneficence, and nonmaleficence. Her approach underscores the significance of ethical decision-making frameworks in navigating complex situations (Bester, 2020). Dr. Simmons demonstrated professionalism and integrity by prioritizing patient safety while upholding confidentiality. This case highlights valuable lessons for healthcare professionals regarding the ethical considerations inherent in patient care and the importance of ethical decision-making models in resolving dilemmas responsibly.
NHS-FPX 4000 Assessment 3 Applying Ethical Principles
References
Afriyie D. (2020). Effective communication between nurses and patients: an evolutionary concept analysis. British journal of community nursing, 25(9), 438–445. https://doi.org/10.12968/bjcn.2020.25.9.438
Bester J. C. (2020). Beneficence, Interests, and Wellbeing in Medicine: What It Means to Provide Benefit to Patients. The American Journal of Bioethics: AJOB, 20(3), 53–62. https://doi.org/10.1080/15265161.2020.1714793
Hansson, K.M., Romøren, M., Weimand, B. et al., (2022). The duty of confidentiality during family involvement: ethical challenges and possible solutions in the treatment of persons with psychotic disorders. BMC Psychiatry 22–812 https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-022-04461-6
Jansen L. A. (2022). Medical Beneficence, Nonmaleficence, and Patients’ Well-Being. The Journal of Clinical Ethics, 33(1), 23–28.
Rudolph K. (2021). Ethical Considerations in Trauma-Informed Care. The Psychiatric clinics of North America, 44(4), 521–535. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psc.2021.07.001
Manderius, C., Clintståhl, K., Sjöström, K., (2023).The psychiatric mental health nurse’s ethical considerations regarding the use of coercive measures – a qualitative interview study. BMC Nurs 22–23
Schofield, G., Dittborn, M., Huxtable, R., Brangan, E., & Selman, L. E. (2021). Real-world ethics in palliative care: A systematic review of the ethical challenges reported by specialist palliative care practitioners in their clinical practice. Palliative medicine, 35(2), 315–334. https://doi.org/10.1177/0269216320974277
Tariq, R. A., & Hackert, P. B. (2023). Patient Confidentiality. In StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing.