Introduction
Medicine is often associated with some ethical issues that, in their turn, periodically cause a sufficiently large resonance in the society and require an integrated approach to study. One of the examples is the problem of personal responsibility for health and limitations of this sphere. The legislation, social, and moral standards have defined certain spheres of influence in this matter, and particular conclusions can be drawn from some established order. The assessment of responsibility is an important criterion for evaluating the healthcare system as a whole and helps to identify key points that deserve attention and development.
Rights to Receive Medical Assistance
When it is about the health problem, as a rule, the image of doctors and medical institutions is associated with illnesses. According to Hammaker and Knadig, all patients have the right to receive qualified specialist care, and the issue of health insurance is one of the controversial ones (122). Despite the fact that some people cannot afford to purchase a special document confirming their right to receive expensive medical services, it should not mean that medical assistance will not be available. Certainly, every person controls his or her state of health and makes sure that no dangerous diseases develop. Nevertheless, when a patient asks for help, not only legislative but also ethical laws come into force. Health employees should agree to help those in need when people turn to them (Hammaker and Knadig 131). Therefore, the degree of responsibility is determined both by patients themselves and doctors.
Some interventions of public medicine are determined by the state law and are conducted regardless of the presence or absence of insurance. As Savulescu claims, there are various programs helping people in certain issues that are relevant to medicine, for example, weight loss courses, etc. (60). Such participation of public services emphasizes a responsible approach of the government to monitoring the state of healthcare and helps those in need to correct some problems.
Degree of Responsibility of State Medicine
In case of minor health problems, for example, SARS or not very dangerous viral infections, the patient usually independently determines whether he or she needs to go to the doctor or not. However, when the issue of severe illnesses is raised, for instance, tuberculosis, AIDS or other serious ailments, the state tends to interfere with the situation. Certainly, individual responsibility for protecting the body from such diseases exists, and no one can force a person to forcibly vaccinate or take preventive drugs (Hammaker and Knadig 67). Nevertheless, there are special protective programs and rehabilitation courses for those who became the victims of dangerous illnesses. They are sponsored by the state, which shows the government’s concern for healthcare issues and proves that personal responsibility should not be a totally private matter when it is about the safety of others.
Conclusion
Thus, the assessment of responsibility is an essential criterion that helps to evaluate the healthcare system and identify central points that deserve attention and development. The issue of personal protection against various diseases ceases to be personal when surrounding people are exposed to potential danger. Certain preventive programs and official courses are usually organized by the state medical authorities to provide care for the population and qualified assistance to those in need. Personal responsibility for health is typical when no dangerous consequences can be foreseen.
Works Cited
Hammaker, Donna K., and Thomas M. Knadig. Health Care Ethics and the Law. Jones & Bartlett Learning, 2016.
Savulescu, Julian. “Golden Opportunity, Reasonable Risk and Personal Responsibility for Health.” Journal of Medical Ethics, vol. 44, no. 1, 2018, pp. 59-61.