Ethical Dilemmas In Health And Social Care
1. What is the ethical dilemma?
The ethical dilemma in this scenario is whether to risk Dr. John’s and Joseph’s life, also Margaret’s in an attempt to save more people, with no guarantees that they’ll be able to save any at all and safely come back to the roof. Margaret, the RN, already made up her mind as she disappeared down the stairs with Joseph expressing his reluctance.
2. What is your value and ethical position related to the case? Include discussion of theory and principles on which your position is based.
My compassionate nature agree with Dr. John’s intention and plan of going back down the stairs to check and see who else can be saved and brought to the roof. If my quick assessment indicates that cries can be heard clearly, then my take is that they are close and can possibly be reached. Certainly, this plan carries a serious risk – when people take a personal risk by saving others, this reflects their trait and willingness to alleviate the suffering of others and save them from immediate danger. According to Purtilo and Doherty (2011), Deontologic theories point out that “duties are the correct measuring rods for evaluating a course of action and its outcome” (p. 114). In this scenario, Dr. John and Margaret are compelled to act and perform their duties …show more content…
What are some other alternatives for resolving the problem?
The alternatives include; everyone staying put and doing nothing; instead, leaving it to firemen to do all rescues. The other alternative as stated above would send Dr. John and Margaret down to see what they can do to help others. Another alternative would be to send someone from the group who is familiar with the layout of the floors and possibly know where emergency equipment are located such as, fire extinguishers, and use these in an attempt to rescue others.
Emergency situations differ in all aspects and options, alternatives and answers to ethical questions are not a given and may not follow static guidelines (Karadag & Hakan,
The ethical dilemma in this scenario is whether to risk Dr. John’s and Joseph’s life, also Margaret’s in an attempt to save more people, with no guarantees that they’ll be able to save any at all and safely come back to the roof. Margaret, the RN, already made up her mind as she disappeared down the stairs with Joseph expressing his reluctance.
2. What is your value and ethical position related to the case? Include discussion of theory and principles on which your position is based.
My compassionate nature agree with Dr. John’s intention and plan of going back down the stairs to check and see who else can be saved and brought to the roof. If my quick assessment indicates that cries can be heard clearly, then my take is that they are close and can possibly be reached. Certainly, this plan carries a serious risk – when people take a personal risk by saving others, this reflects their trait and willingness to alleviate the suffering of others and save them from immediate danger. According to Purtilo and Doherty (2011), Deontologic theories point out that “duties are the correct measuring rods for evaluating a course of action and its outcome” (p. 114). In this scenario, Dr. John and Margaret are compelled to act and perform their duties …show more content…
What are some other alternatives for resolving the problem?
The alternatives include; everyone staying put and doing nothing; instead, leaving it to firemen to do all rescues. The other alternative as stated above would send Dr. John and Margaret down to see what they can do to help others. Another alternative would be to send someone from the group who is familiar with the layout of the floors and possibly know where emergency equipment are located such as, fire extinguishers, and use these in an attempt to rescue others.
Emergency situations differ in all aspects and options, alternatives and answers to ethical questions are not a given and may not follow static guidelines (Karadag & Hakan,