Applying Ethical Frameworks in Practice essay
Applying Ethical Frameworks in Practice
Health professionals are privileged because they are able to help and change people’s lives by the care they offer, but this can only happen if the staff is fully informed and has all the details on the patient’s health history. This information usually can be obtained without difficulty but for sensitive issues a trust based relationship needs to be established in order for the patient to provide all their medical history. This is known as confidentiality to patients and is extremely important in be kept. Many patients struggle to give information because it may either cause shame to them or they may feel rejected by the health care staff. Such is the case for a couple of teen girls who put their trust on a nurse on an NBC ER episode. This paper will describe an ethical dilemma which a nurse encounters and tests her ethical principles in regards to breaching confidentiality. The paper will also explain how an ethics committee may help in this complex situation.
Ethical Implications of a Breach of Confidentiality
Confidentiality is described as an important factor in building solid foundation with a patient and health professional (Purtilo & Doherty, 2011, p. 202). Confidentiality has been a stepping stone for health professionals to aid in building a trust based relationship with their patients. Even the Hippocratic Oath stated, “And whatsoever I shall see or hear in the course of my profession, as well as outside my profession…if it be what should not be published abroad, I will never divulge, holding such things to be holy secrets” (Purtilo & Doherty, 2011, p. 202). Therefore, it is imperative that patients trust their caregivers and in return have a positive effect on the care and prognosis of the patient. However, there are certain situations where it may be ethically appropriate to breach confidentiality, such as when there may be harm to the patient or someone else, or if a patient is unable to
Health professionals are privileged because they are able to help and change people’s lives by the care they offer, but this can only happen if the staff is fully informed and has all the details on the patient’s health history. This information usually can be obtained without difficulty but for sensitive issues a trust based relationship needs to be established in order for the patient to provide all their medical history. This is known as confidentiality to patients and is extremely important in be kept. Many patients struggle to give information because it may either cause shame to them or they may feel rejected by the health care staff. Such is the case for a couple of teen girls who put their trust on a nurse on an NBC ER episode. This paper will describe an ethical dilemma which a nurse encounters and tests her ethical principles in regards to breaching confidentiality. The paper will also explain how an ethics committee may help in this complex situation.
Ethical Implications of a Breach of Confidentiality
Confidentiality is described as an important factor in building solid foundation with a patient and health professional (Purtilo & Doherty, 2011, p. 202). Confidentiality has been a stepping stone for health professionals to aid in building a trust based relationship with their patients. Even the Hippocratic Oath stated, “And whatsoever I shall see or hear in the course of my profession, as well as outside my profession…if it be what should not be published abroad, I will never divulge, holding such things to be holy secrets” (Purtilo & Doherty, 2011, p. 202). Therefore, it is imperative that patients trust their caregivers and in return have a positive effect on the care and prognosis of the patient. However, there are certain situations where it may be ethically appropriate to breach confidentiality, such as when there may be harm to the patient or someone else, or if a patient is unable to
References: Grand Canyon University (2011). Ethical Decision Making [Lecture notes]. Retrieved from www.gcu.edu Purtilo, R., & Doherty, R. (2011). Ethical Dimensions in the Health Professions (5th ed.). [Elsevier Evolve]. Retrieved from www.elsevier.co