Case Study Eloho Vs Mcmmurtry
Eloho (Elli) Erih
Please don’t tell my husband he has Cancer Beneficence is the most common motive of most health care professionals. Since the surgeon agrees not to tell Mr. McMurtry and his family physician, he demonstrates how much he cares about his patients’ wellbeing. Even though, the patient has the right to be informed, it is surgeon’s obligation to morally act in a way that produces the best result and protect his patient from harm (Lafollette 23). Telling McMurtry the truth could potentially lead to further deterioration of his health or death. Prostate cancer is a slow progressive disease and in most cases, many men die from it. By following his wife’s request of not telling, “at least not right now” (289) will not immediately …show more content…
It is a professional obligation of the surgeon to inform Mr. McMurtry of his medical condition and it is professionally, morally and ethically wrong to withhold information from his fellow colleague. Withholding Mr. McMurtry’s diagnosis from him due to the possibility that it may lead to added depression and mental distress is not a valid reason to devalue the patient’s autonomy. Since Mr. Mcmurtry’s wife and son are basing their fears on assumption, it is not the right practice to withhold information from him. If beneficence was the right decision, than Mrs. McMurtry would have been incorrect by saying” if you tell our family physician, you might as well tell my husband” (289) because the family physician would disclose the information to his patient. Trust is very important in a physician- patient relationship and this trust is built on honesty. Telling Mr. McMurtry the truth, respects his autonomy (Yeo & Mitchell 142) and gives him the opportunity to make his own …show more content…
Therefore, I believe it is the right of the patient to be fully informed and going contrary to that is violating the patient’s fundamental rights. In this situation autonomy overshadows beneficence because it is the right of every individual to be fully informed to make their own relevant health decisions. Although, the duty to do no harm is important, healthcare professionals have a duty to be truthful and respect client’s autonomy (Yeo & Mitchell 143). No matter what the end result may be, Mr. McMurtry should be given the opportunity make choices regarding his
Please don’t tell my husband he has Cancer Beneficence is the most common motive of most health care professionals. Since the surgeon agrees not to tell Mr. McMurtry and his family physician, he demonstrates how much he cares about his patients’ wellbeing. Even though, the patient has the right to be informed, it is surgeon’s obligation to morally act in a way that produces the best result and protect his patient from harm (Lafollette 23). Telling McMurtry the truth could potentially lead to further deterioration of his health or death. Prostate cancer is a slow progressive disease and in most cases, many men die from it. By following his wife’s request of not telling, “at least not right now” (289) will not immediately …show more content…
It is a professional obligation of the surgeon to inform Mr. McMurtry of his medical condition and it is professionally, morally and ethically wrong to withhold information from his fellow colleague. Withholding Mr. McMurtry’s diagnosis from him due to the possibility that it may lead to added depression and mental distress is not a valid reason to devalue the patient’s autonomy. Since Mr. Mcmurtry’s wife and son are basing their fears on assumption, it is not the right practice to withhold information from him. If beneficence was the right decision, than Mrs. McMurtry would have been incorrect by saying” if you tell our family physician, you might as well tell my husband” (289) because the family physician would disclose the information to his patient. Trust is very important in a physician- patient relationship and this trust is built on honesty. Telling Mr. McMurtry the truth, respects his autonomy (Yeo & Mitchell 142) and gives him the opportunity to make his own …show more content…
Therefore, I believe it is the right of the patient to be fully informed and going contrary to that is violating the patient’s fundamental rights. In this situation autonomy overshadows beneficence because it is the right of every individual to be fully informed to make their own relevant health decisions. Although, the duty to do no harm is important, healthcare professionals have a duty to be truthful and respect client’s autonomy (Yeo & Mitchell 143). No matter what the end result may be, Mr. McMurtry should be given the opportunity make choices regarding his