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.

at
Categories
Tags

 

 

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.

Sample Solution

Scenario: Balancing Care and Cost in Opioid Addiction Treatment

Situation: Sarah works as a nurse practitioner at a community health clinic. One of her regular patients, John, a 42-year-old construction worker, struggles with chronic pain from a work injury. He has been prescribed opioids for several years, but Sarah suspects he may be developing an addiction.

Ethical Concerns:

  • Care-Based Ethics: Sarah cares deeply for John’s well-being and wants to help him overcome his potential addiction. However, she also worries about the potential for withdrawal symptoms and the risk of John resorting to dangerous alternatives if his opioid prescription is abruptly reduced.
  • Rights-Based Ethics: John has the right to quality pain management, but his potential addiction could be jeopardizing his health and safety. Sarah also has a responsibility to report potential prescription drug misuse.

Ethical Solutions:

Care-Based Approach:

  • Sarah could have an open and honest conversation with John about her concerns regarding addiction.
  • She could explore alternative pain management strategies like physical therapy, acupuncture, or non-opioid medications.
  • She could refer John to a specialist in addiction treatment while continuing to provide him with some level of pain medication to manage withdrawal symptoms during the transition.

Rights-Based Approach:

  • Sarah could explain the risks of opioid addiction and document John’s potential misuse in his medical records.
  • She could gradually reduce his opioid dosage, following established protocols for tapering off addictive medications.
  • She could refer John to a pain management program and ensure he has access to resources for addiction treatment.

Assessment:

Care-Based Approach: This approach prioritizes John’s well-being and respects his autonomy. However, it might be time-consuming and could be perceived as enabling John’s potential addiction.

Rights-Based Approach: This approach upholds John’s right to know the risks but might cause him pain during the tapering process and could discourage him from seeking help if he feels judged.

Utilitarianism: Focusing on the greatest good for the greatest number, this approach would likely favor the rights-based approach, aiming to prevent long-term harm to John and potential misuse of prescription drugs.

Kantian Deontology: This approach emphasizes duty and acting in a way that can be universalized. Here, Sarah has a duty to act in John’s best interest (care) while also considering potential harms to him and others (rights). A combination of both approaches might be most appropriate.

Ethical Egoism: Focused on self-interest, this approach wouldn’t be ideal for a healthcare professional. Sarah’s primary concern should be John’s well-being, not protecting herself from potential legal repercussions.

Social Contract Ethics: This approach emphasizes the importance of societal rules that benefit everyone. Sarah has an obligation to follow ethical guidelines for prescribing medications, which aligns with the rights-based approach.

Healthcare Technology: Electronic Health Records (EHRs) can be used to monitor John’s medication history and track his progress during the tapering process. However, strict privacy controls are essential to safeguard John’s medical information.

Social Technologies:

  • Utilitarian Perspective: Blogs and online encyclopedias could provide John with information about opioid addiction and treatment options, potentially leading to better outcomes for him. However, ensuring accurate and reliable sources is crucial.
  • Kantian Perspective: Crowdfunding platforms could be used to raise money for John’s addiction treatment, respecting his autonomy and allowing people to help if they choose. However, transparency and responsible use of these platforms are essential.
  • Social Contract Perspective: Online support groups for addiction recovery could provide John with a sense of community and encouragement, promoting social good. However, ensuring a safe and supportive environment is vital.

Moral Guidelines:

  • Ensure all information is accurate and based on credible sources.
  • Respect patient privacy and confidentiality.
  • Use technology in a transparent and accountable manner.
  • Consider the potential risks and benefits for all involved.

Conclusion:

Balancing care and cost in the face of potential opioid addiction requires careful consideration of ethical principles. By utilizing a combination of care-based and rights-based approaches, and responsibly using relevant technology and social media, healthcare professionals can strive to achieve the best possible outcomes for their patients.

This question has been answered.

Get Answer