Introduction
During education and practice, every nurse inevitably experiences some ethical challenges regarding patient care. Working with patients implies engaging in interpersonal communication, where the nurse needs to act with respect and regard. Several ethical issues, in particular, are relevant to the topic of obesity-related diseases observed in the course project. To some extent, those ethical considerations shape the approach to resolving specific problems, so they should be a priority in decision-making.
Main body
An ethical conflict, in general, occurs when there is a dilemma between the values and norms of different sides. In healthcare, the sides are usually represented as patients and nurses or other healthcare institution workers. The study by Aitamaa et al. (2016) identifies the most common ethical challenges: the lack of appreciation, disregard of problems, and inadequacy in practical situations. Noticeably, those conflicts arise from both the patients and staff. While some ethical issues have well-established procedures of resolution in specializes nursing guidelines, others include intense controversies in terms of human rights and require constant reconsideration.
Regarding obesity, there is a long-lasting ethical conflict since the concept itself is somewhat unclear. According to Hoffman (2016), some theories do not consider obesity a disease, while others state that it is at least a risk factor for other diseases. The definition and categorization of obesity are essential because they heavily affect the medical approach to this condition: whether it should be treated or not. Additionally, recognizing obesity as an abnormal health condition might enhance stigmatization and discrimination of people based on appearance (Hoffman, 2016). Currently, obesity is considered a factor influencing population health, but every person’s perception is still different.
Summary
To summarize, ethical challenges are an inevitable part of healthcare and nursing practice. While working with patients, a nurse must consider their problems and priorities as well as specialized guidelines. The concept of obesity in healthcare is also presented somewhat controversially, which impacts social perception and treatment. Generally, ethical questions require extreme cautiousness and precision because many nursing practices and treatment strategies depend on them.
References
Aitamaa, E., Leino-Kilpi, H., Iltanen, S., & Suhonen, R. (2016). Ethical problems in nursing management: The views of nurse managers. Nursing Ethics, 23(6), 646–658. Web.
Hofmann, B. (2016). Obesity as a socially defined disease: Philosophical considerations and implications for policy and care. Health Care Analysis, 24(1), 86-100. Web.