There are many ethical issues facing the healthcare industry, several of which were discussed in this unit.
For this assignment, choose any one topic (or related topic) covered in this course and research ethical issues or dilemmas facing that particular area of healthcare.
Format: The following information should be addressed in essay format, in a minimum of three pages (not including title and reference pages). In-text citations are required for this essay.
- Describe the issue
- Determine causes/influences
- Identify current policy and/or regulations relevant to the issue
- Propose how you would fix the issue if given the opportunity and resources
- Include a minimum of FOUR scholarly sources on a separate reference page; APA format should be followed throughout.
Expert Solution Preview
Introduction: Healthcare is a rapidly evolving field that is constantly faced with a myriad of ethical issues. This essay will discuss the ethical issues facing the healthcare industry in relation to end-of-life care. The need for dignified and compassionate care for patients who are nearing the end of their lives is a contentious issue that raises many ethical questions.
Describe the issue: End-of-life care is a critical aspect of healthcare that requires ethical considerations. Many patients seek palliative care when they are diagnosed with terminal illnesses to manage their symptoms and improve their quality of life. However, providing quality care to terminally ill patients is often complicated by ethical dilemmas such as determining the appropriate level of care to provide and ensuring patients have access to necessary medication.
Determine causes/influences: The causes of ethical issues in end-of-life care are numerous and include issues such as cultural beliefs, religious beliefs, and access to resources. Additionally, financial constraints and the availability of medication often play a significant role in determining the level of care provided to terminally ill patients.
Identify current policy and/or regulations relevant to the issue: In the United States, the Patient Self-Determination Act (PSDA) provides guidelines for end-of-life care. PSDA requires healthcare providers to inform patients of their right to refuse treatment and to create an advance directive for end-of-life care, which consists of a living will and a healthcare proxy. Additionally, hospice care, palliative care, and the use of opioids to manage pain are common practices in end-of-life care.
Propose how you would fix the issue if given the opportunity and resources: One way to address ethical issues in end-of-life care is by promoting cultural competency among healthcare professionals. Additionally, increasing access to resources such as pain medication and providing care in a hospice or palliative care setting can improve the quality of life for terminally ill patients. Furthermore, incorporating patient and family preferences into end-of-life care decision-making can help address ethical dilemmas.
Conclusion: Ethical dilemmas are an inherent part of the healthcare industry, and end-of-life care is no exception. To provide quality care to terminally ill patients, healthcare professionals must be trained in cultural competency and have access to necessary resources. Promoting patient autonomy and incorporating patient and family preferences into decision-making can help address ethical dilemmas in end-of-life care.
