Ethical dilemma or moral dilemma is simply a complex situation in which a choice has to be made between two options neither of which solve the complexity of the situation in an ethically acceptable form. In cases like this, personal and societal ethical guidelines should provide guidelines which can at least provide satisfactory results to the chooser. The assumption of ethical dilemma is that the chooser will have to abide by acceptable societal norms, such as codes of law or teaching of a religious manner to make a choice that is otherwise ethically impossible (Lundy, p 13).
My personal values in regard to the issue would be to encourage the woman to embrace values of openness and fairness in relationships. I would advise her to ask her partner to accompany her for a paternity test after explaining and coming true about her sexual affairs. I would recommend after knowing the father to discuss whether it is still prudent for her to terminate the pregnancy.
The societal values in regards to the issue of pregnancy termination and the dilemmas therein are more so similar to personal values. The societal values will vary depending on various aspects such religion, culture and traditions practiced by the woman and her partner (Reamer, p 23). Some societies depending on their culture and religion would not in the first place condone the practice of pregnancy termination, let alone the behavior that leads to infidelity. While in other societies the pregnancy must be terminated first after paternity test are confirmed (Lundy, p 25).
As a doctor is bound by a professional code of ethics not to share any information the patient confides in him/her. The doctor is supposed to only give appropriate advice and leave the final decision to the patient if she is of sound mind and health to make. The doctor cannot persuade the patient on what he/she thinks is right or even knows is right from his/her gut. The doctor is restricted to giving medical and factual opinions and letting the patient decide.
Some of the actions that I would take as a doctor that would follow my personal, societal and professional values would be to advise her against procuring the termination of pregnancy as this can lead to further complications. Second, I would give her the option of discussing the issue with the potential father of the unborn child and then come up with a plan on how to handle the pregnancy.
The short term consequences of asking her to consider not terminating the pregnancy are that the patient may decide to follow the doctors advise and end up keeping a pregnancy she detests while in the long term it might lead to complications during birth that could be fatal and maybe cause the death of both the mother and the child.
Conflicts that emerge when evaluating the societal values and the ethical dilemma is that the society does not view ethical issues in the same manner as a professional would (Lundy, p 37).
The dilemma can be resolved using the social code of ethics. Determine the most appropriate action to take based consequences, looking at principles of work and integrity then coming up with an amicable solution.
Works Cited
Lundy, Colleen. Social Work and Social Justice: A Structural Approach to Practice. Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 2008. Print.
Reamer, Frederic G. Social Work Values and Ethics. New York: Columbia University Press, 2013. Print.
