Applying Ethical Decision Making
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HLT 312V
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Health Science
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Dec 6, 2023
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Uploaded by Toots1975
Applying Ethical Decision Making
Treopia Kingsberry
College of Science, Grand Canyon University
HLT-312V-0500
Kevin Hayes
November 30, 2023
2
Applying Ethical Decision Making
The COVID-19 epidemic has garnered global attention for a duration exceeding two
years. The sudden onset of the COVID-19 pandemic caught the global population off guard,
resulting in widespread concern due to the novelty of the virus for healthcare practitioners. In
addition to its detrimental effects on mortality and well-being, this phenomenon also depletes our
cognitive resources and focus. The COVID-19 epidemic poses a significant challenge for
healthcare professionals and organizational leaders. During the initial outbreak of Covid-19,
healthcare professionals, scientists, and global leaders engaged in a collective learning process,
diligently collaborating to develop effective strategies and interventions.
Case Study Analysis
The COVID-19 epidemic can be likened to a prism when viewed via an ethical lens. This
will assist in obtaining a more comprehensive understanding of the extent of the issue. The
primary ethical concerns are categorized based on five fundamental moral and social ideals. The
concepts of autonomy, privacy, justice, proportionality, and trust are essential elements in various
academic discourses. These concepts play significant roles in shaping ethical frameworks, legal
systems, and societal structures. Autonomy refers to the individual's capacity to make The
aforementioned concerns are examined through the utilization of several cases pertaining to
healthcare worker immunization, contact tracing, global accessibility to vaccinations,
implementation of lockdown measures, and effective crisis communication. According to Gomez
(2022), The selected case under examination pertains to a patient who presented with concerns
regarding pronounced respiratory effort and symptoms resembling those of influenza. The
patient's visit was precluded due to the early phases of the Covid-19 pandemic, as the healthcare
facility prioritized containment measures to prevent further transmission. The recommendation
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was made to conduct a telemedicine consultation with the patient. Telemedicine involves a direct
interaction between the healthcare professional and the patient, conducted remotely through
technological means. Despite the established safety of telemedicine, this particular case study
revealed otherwise. The patient succumbed to complications associated with COVID-19 due to
the inability to receive timely medical attention. The prevention of this incident might have been
facilitated through the implementation of appropriate training protocols and the timely diagnosis
of the patient.
Mitigating Ethical and Legal Concerns and Individual Perspectives
One of the legal concerns in this case pertained to the absence of secure accommodation
for the patient in question. Instead of conducting a telemedicine consultation, it would have been
preferable for the patient to visit the healthcare facility in person, enabling the healthcare
provider to obtain the patient's vital signs. The necessity for an in-person examination of the
patient was apparent, despite the physician's valid concern for the well-being of other patients.
However, as a medical professional, it is imperative to use sound clinical judgment when
presented with a complaint of dyspnea, which typically warrants immediate hospital evaluation.
It would have been prudent to establish quarantine or isolation rooms for individuals exhibiting
symptoms.
In light of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, it is evident that the healthcare sector was ill-
equipped to effectively address the ethical challenges that have arisen. While previous pandemics
have occurred, the current situation is unprecedented in its impact. This particular occurrence had
a profound impact on our daily lives, leading to valuable lessons for all those involved. One of
the ethical considerations that ought to have been considered is the physician's failure to
promptly refer the patient to a hospital or provide guidance to contact emergency services.
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Contacting emergency services, such as dialing 911, may have facilitated the provision of
necessary assistance to address the patient's respiratory distress. The physician exhibited a
reluctance to encounter potential illness, so opting against admitting the patient into the facility
during a period of reduced patient traffic. Instead, the physician advocated for the utilization of
appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) to conduct diagnostic tests and facilitate a more
comprehensive assessment. During the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, healthcare professionals
faced the dilemma of prioritizing their personal health and the well-being of their families while
fulfilling their duty to safeguard patient safety. To address this concern, comprehensive training
programs were implemented to ensure adherence to appropriate personal protective equipment
(PPE) protocols.
Conclusion
In conclusion, ethical and legal dilemmas are pervasive in the healthcare field on a daily
basis. The inquiry pertains to the determination of ethical correctness and legal correctness. This
paper presents an overview of the ethical considerations pertaining to telemedicine within the
context of the COVID-19 pandemic. The objective is to enhance comprehension of the linked
ethical dilemmas, particularly in nations that continue to require or seek telemedicine solutions.
The reporting and presentation of legal issues and their associated components are discussed.
The establishment of uniformity pertaining to the safeguarding of patient privacy, the acquisition
of informed consent, the preservation of data security, the assessment of physician liability and
the management of malpractice risk, as well as adherence to pertinent laws and regulations, has
been emphasized (Solimini, 2021).
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References
Gómez-Sánchez A, Sarabia-Cobo C, Chávez Barroso C, Gómez-Díaz A, Salcedo Sampedro C,
Martínez Rioja E, Romero Cáceres IT, Alconero-Camarero AR. The Influence of the
COVID-19 Pandemic on the Clinical Application of Evidence-Based Practice in Health
Science Professionals.
Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022 Mar 23
;19(7):3821. doi:
10.3390/ijerph19073821. PMID: 35409503; PMCID: PMC8997515.
Solimini R, Busardò FP, Gibelli F, Sirignano A, Ricci G. Ethical and Legal Challenges of
Telemedicine in the Era of the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Medicina (Kaunas).
2021 Nov
30;57(12):1314. doi: 10.3390/medicina57121314. PMID: 34946259; PMCID:
PMC8705012.
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