Discussion 3
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School
Fresno Pacific University *
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Course
5603
Subject
Medicine
Date
Dec 6, 2023
Type
docx
Pages
2
Uploaded by Misskrr4
In this case, the client has lost the ability to consent due to medical complications. The medical
staff must decide whether to continue or terminate the patient’s life. The staff in the hospital has
two individuals in the patient’s life who can make the decision: the long-term partner and the
son. The patient has shared 15 years with the partner, who knows their wishes; however, without
an advanced directive, they cannot legally decide. The son is the next of kin and has legal
standing; however, he has not spoken to the patient in 5 years and wants the opposite of their
wishes. The medical staff is burdened with the ethical dilemma of performing the client’s wishes
from the partner or following the letter of the law and reaching out to the next of kin for the next
steps. In this case, the social worker can act morally by adhering to the patient’s wishes by their
partner, someone who understands what the client would have wanted and can advocate their
wishes. The social worker must exemplify ethical behavior and comply with the wishes of the
next of kin.
According to the National Association of Social Workers NASW Code of Ethics (2021), social
workers have an ethical responsibility to promote the well-being of their clients—while also
possessing values attributed to the code of ethics amongst colleagues, in practice settings, and as
professionals (NASW, 2021). In this case, the medical social worker is responsible to the client.
NASW 2021, section 1.03 (a) states, “In instances when clients lack the capacity to provide
informed consent, social workers should protect clients’ interest by seeking a third party” (pg.2).
Section 1.03 (a) also ensures the social workers seek a third party that will emulate the wishes
and interests of the client (pg.2). Confidentiality is an essential factor to consider in this case.
Section 1.07 (b) states, “Social workers may disclose confidential information when appropriate
with valid consent from a client or person legally authorized to consent on behalf of a client”
(pg.3).
As the medical social worker handling this case, I would act to promote the well-being of the
client. First, displaying the ethical responsibility to my colleagues, I would have a meeting with
the interdisciplinary team to understand the diagnosis and any available treatment options.
Secondly, I would adhere to section 1.03 (a) and seek a third party for the client to emulate their
wishes. In this case, the patient’s long-term partner is a reputable third party; however, he has no
legal barring to make medical decisions on the client’s behalf. The son would be the lawful third
party; the best action is to meet with the son and the partner to get them on the same page. The
purpose of this meeting would be to protect the confidentiality of the patient and make the
medical decision consistent with the patient’s wishes while also following the code of ethics.
National Association of Social Workers. (2021).
Code of Ethics of
the National Association of Social Workers.
Retrieved
from
https://www.socialworkers.org/About/Ethics/Code-of-
Ethics
Links to an external site.
\
According to NASW 2021, a client's right to self-determination can be limited if the social
worker's judgment shows any harmful risks to the client. The client has expressed self-harm if
they are presented with a diagnosis. In this case, you, as the social worker, have an ethical
responsibility to the client and disclose their diagnosis. However, you also have an obligation to
promote the patients’ well-being. In this case, I would speak with the spouse to help the client
set up an advanced directive in the event the client loses cognitive ability. I would also refer the
clients to memory care resources that can help the client prevent any self-harm. I would also
provide the spouse with services to help with the care of the patient or coping strategies with
the news of the diagnosis.
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