Bioethics in Healthcare: A Class Discussion

Prompt:

• Evaluating ethics and ethical committees is on the rise in the healthcare industry, and there is a new job title emerging: ethicist. This role focuses on consulting leadership teams on policies and education to best approach future ethical issues.
• Discuss the following questions with the class:
  • What is a current biomedical ethics issue in healthcare that concerns you? Explain your answer.
  • Do you feel the biomedical ethics issue is being handled appropriately? Explain your answer.

Biomedical Ethics Concerns:

There are many current biomedical ethics issues in healthcare, but one that raises significant concerns is access to and allocation of new, expensive treatments.

Here’s why this issue is concerning:

• Cost-effectiveness: New treatments, particularly gene therapies and advanced cancer treatments, can be exorbitantly expensive. This raises questions about how to fairly allocate these treatments when resources are limited. Should they be available to everyone, regardless of cost, or should there be a rationing system?
• Equity and justice: If access is limited due to cost, who gets priority? Will these treatments only be available to those with private insurance or wealth, further widening the healthcare disparity gap?
• Transparency and decision-making: Who decides who receives these treatments? Are the criteria for allocation clear, fair, and transparent?

Is the Issue Handled Appropriately?

There is no easy answer to whether the current approach to access and allocation of expensive treatments is appropriate. Here’s a breakdown of the challenges:

• Lack of consensus: There is no universally agreed-upon framework for allocating scarce resources in healthcare. Different countries and healthcare systems have varying approaches.
• Difficult choices: Decisions about who receives life-saving treatments can be emotionally charged and ethically complex. Balancing cost-effectiveness with patient need is a constant struggle.
• Evolving landscape: The pace of medical innovation is rapid, with new, expensive treatments emerging all the time. Existing allocation frameworks may not be able to adapt quickly enough.

The Role of Bioethicists:

This is where bioethicists can play a crucial role. They can help healthcare institutions and policymakers:

• Develop fair and transparent allocation frameworks: Bioethicists can bring together various stakeholders (patients, doctors, insurers) to discuss ethical principles and develop fair allocation criteria.
• Educate the public and healthcare providers: Bioethicists can help raise awareness of these complex issues and facilitate open conversations about resource allocation.
• Advocate for systemic change: Bioethicists can advocate for policies that promote broader access to healthcare and mitigate cost burdens associated with new treatments.

Conclusion:

The issue of access to expensive treatments is a complex bioethical challenge. While there is no perfect solution, ongoing discussions, collaboration with bioethicists, and a commitment to fairness and transparency are crucial for navigating this issue ethically and ensuring equitable access to healthcare for all.

Class Discussion:

This prompt can be used to spark a lively class discussion. Encourage students to share their thoughts on the following:

• What other current bioethical issues in healthcare concern them?
• How can bioethicists contribute to resolving these issues?
• What role can individuals play in advocating for ethical healthcare practices?