Ethical Issues and the Signature Assignment
Instructions
Due to the fact that the healthcare industry has a certain charge over life and death decisions, pain, nutrition, and other areas of intimate concern for all human life, the ethical issues involved in the delivery of healthcare are proportionately serious and deserve attention. Most major public policy ethical issues are based on the distinction between rights and utility. The latter is based on a cost-benefit analysis where the minimum standard of care is meant to be spread over the widest possible area. In this case, it is consequences that matter. On the other hand, a rights-based approach holds that each individual has a right to the care they need at any given time. In this approach, the rights of the individual, not the whole, matter. The moral center in the rights based approach is that consequences do not matter as much than respecting the rights of the individual. Putting this distinction differently, the utilitarian approach stresses the good of the whole, while the rights-based approach stresses the autonomy of the individual. Therefore, many healthcare organizations find themselves conducting a delicate balance between rights and utility (Andersen, Rice, & Kominski, 2007).
In addition, healthcare organizations and providers face several potential issues. For example, some argue that the current healthcare system forces providers into a terrible situation in which they become “double agents,” forced to care for patients, but only within the parameters established by insurance companies (Andersen, Rice, & Kominski, 2007). If the patient is to receive all they need, is the doctor forced to manipulate data to ensure coverage? Will following health insurance guidelines to the letter harm patients, leaving doctors open to lawsuits?
Week 7 Assignment: Reflect on Ethical Issues in the Healthcare Setting
Expert Solution Preview
Introduction: In the healthcare industry, ethical issues play a crucial role in decision making and patient care. As a medical professor responsible for designing assignments for healthcare college students, it is essential to provide an in-depth understanding of healthcare ethics. This content highlights the importance of ethics in the healthcare industry, the delicate balance between rights and utility, and potential ethical issues faced by healthcare organizations and providers.
1. Determine the role ethics plays for both managers and leaders in the healthcare setting.
Ethics plays a critical role in the healthcare industry for both managers and leaders. Managers and leaders have different responsibilities within a healthcare organization. Managers oversee the day-to-day operations and ensure that the organization runs smoothly. Leaders, on the other hand, have a vision for the organization and inspire others to work towards that vision.
In both roles, ethics plays a crucial role in decision making and patient care. Managers must ensure that the organization follows ethical guidelines and policies. They must also promote an ethical culture within the organization and ensure that all employees understand the importance of ethics in patient care. Leaders must also promote an ethical culture within the organization. They must set an example and ensure that ethical behavior is encouraged and rewarded.
2. Identify and explain the concepts and issues that must be considered through an ethical lens when dealing with special populations. Support your findings with detailed examples.
Special populations in healthcare include individuals with disabilities, the elderly, and the mentally ill. When dealing with special populations, healthcare providers must consider several concepts and issues through an ethical lens.
Firstly, healthcare providers must ensure that they provide quality care to all patients, regardless of their special needs. For example, patients with disabilities may require accommodations such as sign language interpreters or accessible medical equipment. Healthcare providers must ensure that they provide these accommodations to ensure that the patient receives the same quality of care as a patient without a disability.
Secondly, healthcare providers must respect the autonomy of special population patients. Autonomy refers to an individual’s right to make their own decisions about their healthcare. For example, elderly patients may wish to make decisions about end-of-life care. Healthcare providers must ensure that they respect the patient’s autonomy and provide information to enable the patient to make informed decisions.
Thirdly, healthcare providers must avoid discrimination and ensure that all patients are treated equally. For example, a mentally ill patient may be stigmatized and discriminated against because of their condition. Healthcare providers must ensure that they do not discriminate against any patient and provide the same quality of care to all patients.
3. Predict which ethical issues you foresee becoming greater concerns in the future of healthcare.
Several ethical issues are becoming greater concerns in the future of healthcare. One of the most significant ethical issues is access to healthcare. As healthcare costs continue to rise, many individuals may not have access to necessary healthcare. Healthcare providers must ensure that they provide quality care to all patients, regardless of their ability to pay.
Another ethical issue is the use of technology in healthcare. With advancements in technology, healthcare providers can now collect and use large amounts of patient data. However, the use of this data raises ethical concerns about patient privacy and confidentiality. Healthcare providers must ensure that they follow ethical guidelines and policies when collecting and using patient data.
Finally, end-of-life care is an ethical issue that is becoming a more significant concern in the future of healthcare. As the population ages, more individuals will require end-of-life care. Healthcare providers must ensure that they provide quality end-of-life care and respect the patient’s autonomy when making decisions about end-of-life care.
Conclusion: In conclusion, ethical issues are crucial in the healthcare industry and must be considered when making decisions and providing patient care. As healthcare providers, managers, and leaders, it is essential to promote an ethical culture and ensure that patients receive quality care and respect. The three questions answered in this content highlight the importance of ethics in the healthcare industry, the delicate balance between rights and utility, and potential ethical issues faced by healthcare organizations and providers.
