The case study is analyzed on the basis of the MORAL model (Yoder-Wise, 2007).
M: In this particular scenario, the healthcare staff and Dax’s mother are taking efforts to keep him alive. But Dax does not want to live, and wants to die. Dax attempted a suicide, but it failed. The main players in this scenario are Dax, physicians, nurses, and Dax’s mother.
O: There are hardly any options that can help Dax return to his previous quality of life. The only option is to get him mentally prepared for the challenges in his new life, which, is not that easy. Further, the treatment process is long and painful. There is no definite guarantee that Dax suffering will be rewarded. Dax will need lifelong assistance. His social life will be affected and his ability to support his mother is questionable.
R: Subjecting Dax to painful torture in the name of treatment that does not hold any true benefit is inhumane. Utilitarian ethical theory will support this decision. The goal of human life is to find happiness and not suffering. If healthcare cannot help restore this happiness to life, it must at least withdraw itself from causing pain or suffering.
L: Dax’s mother will be counselled on what is best for Dax. Dax is going through immense pain and giving pain killers that can reduce pain will not be considered euthanasia, even if these painkillers can cause the patient to die (Ethics Guide, 2017).
E: Extraordinary medical care will be required to keep Dax alive and to enrich his life in whatever ways possible. The patient condition can be evaluated thoroughly and his progress if any can be monitored.
References
Ethics Guide,. (2017). BBC - Ethics - Euthanasia: Forms of euthanasia. Bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 5 January 2017, from http://www.bbc.co.uk/ethics/euthanasia/overview/forms.shtml
Yoder-Wise, P. (2007). Leading and managing in nursing (1st ed., p. 70). St. Louis, MO: Mosby Elsevier.
