Informed Consent And Cultural Competence
Summary of Facts
Dr. Emily Clark, a cardiologist at Mercy General Hospital, is treating Mr. Rajan Patel, a 58-year-old man who recently immigrated from India. Mr. Patel has been diagnosed with a significant heart condition that requires a surgical procedure. The surgery has a high success rate, but it also comes with risks and benefits. Mr. Patel's primary language is Gujarati, and he has limited proficiency in English. While he nods and smiles during consultations, it is clear that he does not fully understand the intricacies of the surgery or its potential complications.
Ethical Dilemma
The ethical dilemma in this case arises from the conflict between the principles of autonomy and beneficence. On the one hand, Dr. Clark has a duty to respect Mr. Patel's autonomy and allow him to make his own decisions about his care. This means ensuring that he fully understands the risks and benefits of the surgery before he consents to it. On the other hand, Dr. Clark also has a duty to act in Mr. Patel's best interests. This may mean recommending the surgery even if Mr. Patel does not fully understand the risks.
People Involved
The people involved in this ethical dilemma are:
- Dr. Emily Clark, the cardiologist
- Mr. Rajan Patel, the patient
- Mr. Patel's family
Moral Awareness
The first step in the ethical decision-making model is moral awareness. This involves recognizing that there is an ethical issue at stake. In this case, the ethical issue is the conflict between the principles of autonomy and beneficence.
Moral Judgment
The second step in the ethical decision-making model is moral judgment. This involves identifying the relevant ethical principles and applying them to the situation. In this case, the relevant ethical principles are autonomy and beneficence.
Ethical Behavior
The third step in the ethical decision-making model is ethical behavior. This involves taking action that is consistent with the ethical principles that have been identified. In this case, the ethical behavior would be to ensure that Mr. Patel is able to make an informed decision about his care.
Factors that Contributed to the Ethical Problem
The following factors contributed to the ethical problem in this case:
- Mr. Patel's limited English proficiency
- The complexity of the medical information
- The time constraints of the medical setting
Academic Peer-Reviewed Journal Article
The following academic peer-reviewed journal article is relevant to the ethical problem in this case:
- Hoffenberg, J., & Gallagher, T. H. (2009). Informed consent in patients with limited English proficiency: A review of the literature. Journal of General Internal Medicine, 24(1), 133-138.
This article reviews the literature on informed consent in patients with limited English proficiency. The authors found that there is a lack of research on the best practices for obtaining informed consent from these patients. They also found that there are a number of barriers to obtaining informed consent from patients with limited English proficiency, such as:
- Language barriers
- Cultural differences
- Lack of access to qualified interpreters
Effectiveness of Communication Approaches
Dr. Clark's communication with Mr. Patel could be improved in a number of ways. For example, she could:
- Use simpler language and avoid medical jargon
- Speak slowly and clearly
- Use visuals such as diagrams or pictures
- Ask Mr. Patel to repeat back what he has heard to ensure that he understands
- Enlist the help of a qualified interpreter
Conclusion
The ethical dilemma in this case is a complex one. There is no easy answer to the question of how to balance the principles of autonomy and beneficence. However, by carefully considering the relevant ethical principles and the factors that contributed to the problem, Dr. Clark can make an informed decision about how to proceed.