Ethical Dimensions in the Health Professions Essay

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In his reflection, the researcher will assess the link between individual moral convictions either cultural or spiritual, and nursing practice. The researcher will develop a definition of various concepts, such as values, morals, and ethics of the nursing practice and the manner in which personal values, philosophy, and views may contradict the duty of nursing practice. Therefore, it will be important to look at some of the moral conflicts a person may experience when providing healthcare services. Thus, it is beneficial to illustrate how the researcher’s world influences his behavior and decision making.

The Nursing Ethics

In a reflection given from the President’s Council on Bioethics (2003), the role of knowledge in achieving completeness and protection of the vulnerable is highlighted. This becomes the natural motive and duty of the doctors while they serving people with different afflictions. The reflection also articulates on the functions of medicine in light of the relationship between a doctor and a patient; in other words, evaluating the calling of the doctor to heal and comfort the afflicted patients (President’s Council on Bioethics, 2003).

The message from the President’s Council also articulates on the oath that governs doctors in their service to the patients. The Hippocratic Oath as translated by Leon Kass, served as a guide to an appropriate medical practice (President’s Council on Bioethics, 2003). The passage explaining the Hippocratic Oath pinpoints the divine elements associated with it; but for this study, the researcher would only pick the relevant issues. For instance, it mentions the need for the physician to fulfill his or her duties in accordance with his or her abilities. It goes ahead to illustrate the need for the physician to act in a manner that promotes the well being of the sick in accordance with his or her ability and judgment which are connected with the duty of safeguarding them against harm and injustice (President’s Council on Bioethics, 2003). The Hippocratic Oath regards the duty of the physician as vital to ensure he or she does not give a deadly drug to the sick, or does not suggest a misguided treatment. It also presupposes the physicians to keep confidential matters secret related to the treatment of the sick (President’s Council on Bioethics, 2003).

In the Code of Ethics for Nurses, it is stressed that physicians have a duty to safeguard human dignity against violations of any kind. In this regard, nurses have to pay attention to the needs and values of the patients, and must maintain professional relationships (American Nurses Association, 2012). In addition, the nurse should, first of all, respect the patient as a person, and deliver healthcare services in respect to their needs (see above assertions on the same). Other issues include the duty to protect the right of patients to privacy and self-determination (Purtilo & Doherty, 2011; Burkhardt & Nathaniel, 2008).

Analysis and Discussion

Among personal, “cultural and spiritual values that contribute to the researcher’s worldview and philosophy of nursing”, reverence to human dignity, respect, hard work and professionalism must be maintained as well (American Nurses Association, 2012). These values have made the nursing practice spontaneously meet the outlined ethical standards in the code of ethics. This makes it very easy to act in accordance with the requirements in regards to nursing without much strain or exaggeration.

As indicated above, there are certain ethical nursing requirements that explain the researcher’s beliefs and moral convictions towards nursing practice. However, there are instances where personal values and beliefs contradict the obligations to practice especially when they involve situations that require more individualized decisions. In general, such conflicting moral ideas create an ethical dilemma leaving the nursing practice in a crisis. In other words, personal values and perceptions may contradict the code of ethics because of the circumstances around a person, for instance, the need to share information about the patient for the purposes of achieving the best treatment which may be termed as a violation of duty to confidentiality. Another instance is where one may overrule the patient’s choice of treatment because it is not the best course of action. This may be termed as a violation to their right to self determination.

From a personal point of view, what is important for a nursing professional when encountering an ethical dilemma is to always go for the most objective judgment. This means one should focus on what is of great benefit to the patient, rather than the nurse.

Conclusion

It may be concluded that the aim of the professional is to serve the patients and provide them with healthcare that takes into consideration the patients’ needs. The passion should be directed towards serving the sick with professionalism, and making the patients respond to treatment in order to attain an utmost healing. The motivation lies in helping the sick overcome their pain and affliction. This is also what inspires the researcher, in other words, the nurse has a professional obligation to help the patients respond to their treatment to achieve healing. Therefore, the aim should be to give priorities to what is beneficial to the sick community rather than one’s own interest.

References

American Nurses Association, (2012). Professional Standards. Web.

Burkhardt, M.A., Nathaniel, A.K. (3rd ed.). (2008). Ethics issues in contemporary Nursing. Clifton Park, NY: Delmar Cengage Learning

President’s Council on Bioethics, (2003). Being Human: Readings from the President’s Council on Bioethics. Web.

Purtilo, R., & Doherty, R. (2011). Ethical dimensions in the health professions. (5th ed.). St. Louis, MO: Elsevier.

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