This article examines issues that can arise as the result of surrogacy. The author states that even though the parents appear on the birth certificate this can be reversed. The challenge of determining who the legal guardian is is challenging. Because of this most surrogacies are gestational. The author states that issues of discrimination can arise when speaking about an infertile parent versus a fertile parent. The ethical issues include this discrimination. It also calls to question if parentage should be reversed legally. Legally this presents many issues.
This article looks at the issues surrounding a patient’s ability to choose if they want to undergo surgery or not. Those that refuse care can sometimes be at risk. However the author also noted that those that do choose care such as an elective surgery can sometimes benefit from the decision. It is up to the surgeon to provide scientific evidence to support or deny a surgery. The ethical issues include if it is hazardous to allow the patient so much choice when they are uneducated. Giving a patient too few choices takes away their free will. Doctors and patients should work together to determine the best course of action. The best course should be the one that is in the best interest of the patient.
This article outlines the protocol surrounding the process of death. The need to find humane alternatives to suffering is a complex ethical issue. The author explains that hospice can be beneficial. Some feel it is pointless to delay death. Ethically it is difficult to determine when one should die. The Hippocratic Oath states that a doctor should do no harm. When new courses of treatment become available one could regret making the decision to end life early. Many patients can’t give consent.
The author states that many patients complain about having a lack of choice. He also states that doctors need to be better educated about the process. To determine if hospice is needed is up to the doctor. Doctors need to communicate better ethical issues include patients feeling that they are not properly educated about their situation. Doctors must determine the best course of action despite the patient’s wishes. Many do not have wills to help with the decision. Medicine is often thought to always be the solution.
This entry explains that those that suffer illness because of their lifestyle should pay for their own expenses. This would include those that are overweight or smoke. The author feels that these should not be labeled as disabilities. The government is overtaxed with these issues. The ethical issues include deciding what falls within these categories. For example being obese could be a sign of poor lifestyle choices or it could be the result of genetic influencers. This policy could deny people health care who could not afford it. Many people might go untreated.
This response states that there are many controversies that need to be solved in the medical field. Even is a person needs care it may be proper to provide it. Legal guidelines place restrictions on these treatments. Doctors have to abide by these guidelines. Ethical issues can be that patients may not receive care. If the doctors do give them care then they can be subject to legal action. Doctors must decide the right thing to do in compliance with the law. A happy medium must be obtained.
This article proposes a way of ethical reasoning. The author states that the context is very important. One should also ask how they can find a solution. One should reject propositions that are unwanted. Ethically this means that all solutions are reasonable. This also insures that the problem receives proper treatment to get the best answer. One should evaluate the effects of the decision to determine if it is ethical. The most ethical solution is usually the best.
This article says that sometimes a doctor should deny patient requests. Sickest patients are often the most unsatisfied with doctor care. Doctors should meet patient expectations and best care. Doctors should have good ratings. Ethically this can cause bias. Sometimes patient expectations are not realistic. Doctors may need to perform in the best interest of the patient, even if it is not their wish. The patient may not be knowledgeable about the facts at hand.
The article states that often patients do not remember the information they receive at doctor’s visits. Recording devices could be the answer. Often patients feel overwhelmed about the information they receive. Doctor’s should explain information in a way that is understandable. Ethically we worry that patient information could be listened to by unauthorized persons if recorded. Patients may feel they can’t be as open if recorded. Legally patients would have to know that they are being recorded. Most states have rules against this.
Relationships with patients are never easy. Often there are third parties. These parties influence the decisions made by the patient. Sometimes insurance providers are these third parties. Ethically this means patients may not receive the care they need. To deny someone because there insurance will not cover it could be very harmful. Often wealthier patients receive better care. This is an example of classism.
This article states that children respond to drugs differently than adults. This can lead to threats to the child. Stimulants help with behavior and performance. Doctors feel this is helpful for attention deficient disorder. Ethically many children are misdiagnosed with ADD. This can lead to unneeded medication. The effects of these medications can be harmful. Doctors should avoid misdiagnosis.
Code blues require immediate response. If this happens often a life can be saved. Aggressive actions may be taken. Slow code is an alternative. Ethically slow code could mean not giving all lifesaving actions. Death could be the result. This allows doctors to spare patients. It also spares the doctor.
This article states that often we cause many of our own health problems. This can be prevented with better lifestyles. Obesity causes many of these issues. Doctors should help their patients learn to care for themselves. Ethically it is difficult to tell if an illness is caused by poor lifestyle. Doctors may not want to provide the best care if they think their patient is uncaring. Many health problems may result from one issue. Doctors should work closely with the patient to remedy the situation.
This article states that employers should tell doctors how their compensations are based. Practices should also be revealed to the patient. Many doctors own part of their practices. AMA offers advice to doctors. Ethically doctors may have too large a role in the practice if they are part owner. If the patients do not know they can’t make informed decisions. Doctors should follow the guidelines to insure ethical reasoning. Not all advice is applicable to all situations.
This article proposed that people donate organs for money. Paying people may encourage them to donate. This could solve the shortage of organs. Other countries have an opt-out program. Ethically this could mean that people’s motives are wrong. Selling organs could lead to uninformed donation. Opt out programs mean that unless specified a person is automatically an organ donor. Patients should be willing volunteers.
This article states that clinical trial in humans is necessary. This insures drug safety. Animal experiments are unreliable. Drug trials often take place in regions of high poverty. Ethically this can result in classism. This may also result in bad side effects or death. People feel that they may not have a choice if they need the money bad enough. Patients may not be fully informed about the risks.
This page states that we all are the result of stem cells. They are the building blocks of life. Use of stem cells can help in treatment practices. These cells can be taken from embryos. Ethically the harvesting of these cells can be controversial. Some are afraid that embryos can be made simply for this purpose. Legislation is currently preventing this.
Kirsch feels that patients should know the risk of treatments. If they don’t know the risks it is not really consent. This could result in malpractice. Many drug companies have been held accountable in legal actions. Ethically patients should know all of the risks. Patients feel that they are being lied to if they are not told. Other underlying problems could interact with drugs if the risk is not outlined.
Entering data takes a long time. This can overtax hospitals. This is not the most efficient use of data. Data is only as good as the raw data. Ethically this can mean that the best data is not used. The most important data can be lost inside the superfluous data. If the raw data is poor than the entire report can be compromised.
This author feels that benefits are too generous. Rates need to be higher to compensate. However buyers are not happy with higher rates. This can lead to problems in the health care industry. Ethically this means that companies may not be able to continue to provide these benefits in the future. However if rates are raised more people may not be able to afford coverage. Their needs to be a balance between the two.
Works Cited:
Calloway, D. "Ethics and Health Care: Rethinking End of Life Care." . N.p., 12 2012. Web. 14 Dec 2012.
Cirillo, A. "Long-Term Care Insurance May Be a Dying Breed." . N.p., 6 2006. Web. 14 Dec 2012.
Mattieu, . "Is Big data Really that Big." . N.p., 6 2012. Web. 14 Dec 2012.
, ed. "Resuscitation “slow codes” are compassionate yet deceptive." . N.p., 10 2012. Web. 14 Dec 2012.
, ed. "Stem Cells." . N.p., 16 2012. Web. 14 Dec 2012.
