Part1
Critics have questioned the authenticity of medical-related to industries support towards reforms in healthcare reforms. One might argue that these industries have decided to forgo profits in the future to gain in regarding public relations rather than support the efforts being made towards providing healthcare services access to all. According to Brody (283), a conflict of interest can be seen clearly by examining the reaction of medical professionals to these reforms. Professional medical organizations have made no promises towards reducing medical costs. Ironically, some physicians have offered to support the reforms on the condition that their income is not affected negatively by the reforms. Apparently, the interest of the physicians is to protect their income not to collaborate with other stakeholders to ensure that ordinary people have access to quality and affordable medical care.
Physicians have an ethical duty to put the interests of patients before their own. It is saddening to see the medical profession demanding for protection against income losses whereas the other for-profit medical-related businesses, who have not taken an ethical oath, are not worried about losing revenue. The doctors’ stance begs the question; do they really care about their patients’ welfare?
Brody (284) believes that not all physicians are affected by the conflict of interests. In as much as doctors in low-cost areas order similar tests and treatments as those in high-cost areas, they avoid using procedures and drugs whose usefulness to the patient is not sufficiently supported by research evidence. He proposes that each medical specialty should appoint a group of experts to come up with five tests and treatments that are mostly ordered by physicians in that particular specialty but are not significantly beneficial to the patient. Then, physicians in each specialty should be educated and discouraged from using the agreed-upon top five diagnostic procedures and drugs (Brody 284)
Part 2
According to the American Nurses Association (4), nurses have an obligation to show respect to persons with whom they interact or with whom they work. Nurses have an ethical responsibility of maintaining “professional, respectful, and caring relationships with colleagues” (ANA 4). Being guided by the above ethical code and with an aim to prevent harm, I would approach Dr. Voldemorton privately in a kind and civil manner in an attempt to solve the conflict in a way that is respectful and dignified. I would explain my respect and appreciation for his contribution to the delivery of safe and quality care to our clients. In a gentle and mature strategy, I would remind him that we are all part of a collaborative care team that works together to achieve shared goals in quality patient care. Thus, we should respect each other opinions and concerns and that we should listen to each other as well as look for solutions to our differences with civility.
I would try and make Dr. Voldemorton to see things from Nurse Dibaba point of view using the ethical duty of a nurse to the welfare of her or his patient. According to provision 2.1 of the code of ethics (ANA 5), the primary commitment of a nurse is to her or his client. The psychological and physical welfare of the patient is a nurse’s priority. This ethical obligation explains nurse Dibaba’s concern for Mr. Innocente. I would aim at making the doctor understand that nurse Dibaba is not undermining his authority but trying to protect the patient from possible complications of the drugs. As a healthcare provider, it is my duty to ensure that the conflict is resolved in a manner that prioritizes patient safety while preserving the dignity of my colleagues and facilitating inter-professional collaboration (ANA 5 & 6).
Works Cited
American Nurses Association. Code of ethics for nurses with interpretive statements. Nursesbooks. org, 2015.
Brody, Howard. "Medicine's ethical responsibility for health care reform—the top five list." New England Journal of Medicine 362.4 (2010): 283-285.
