Ethical Principals Case Study
Running head: ETHICAL PRINCIPALS CASE
Ethical Principals Case Study
Shawn R. Holy
Grand Canyon University
HLT 305
May 2, 2010
Ethical Principals Case Study You are presented with a 52-year-old female patient. She is experiencing acute discomfort from gall stone symptoms for the fourth time in 8 years. The condition has responded to non-surgical treatment in the past, but each subsequent time is a slower and more painful recovery. She is underinsured and the cost of a surgery would be beyond her means without some sort of write-off or assistance. However, her family makes too much to qualify for Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS). Examine this case, using each of the following principles in turn as a possible guide to your actions: In consideration of the principle of utility to bring about the greatest good would be to provide the surgery needed to cure the recurring of gull stone attacks. Though surgery has its risks and discomforts, in the long term the patient’s wellbeing and comfort will be enhanced. The principle of equity could see this patient as having used her fair share of resources. This principal appears to be lacking compaction but, given repeated treatment with a lesser degree sustained response places this patient in a category of over using of resources. If action is based on the principal of need, this patient would receive standard treatment unless a life threatening situation arose. If her need becomes greater or she no longer responds to non invasive treatment then, the need for surgery becomes greater. To apply the principle of contribution to this case consideration should be given with regards to the fact that the patient does have some insurance and the family is paying taxes on the income that disqualifies them for assistance. The principal of effort could be applied favorably to this patient. Although she is underinsured, putting forth the effort to maintain the insurance she does have and the fact
Ethical Principals Case Study
Shawn R. Holy
Grand Canyon University
HLT 305
May 2, 2010
Ethical Principals Case Study You are presented with a 52-year-old female patient. She is experiencing acute discomfort from gall stone symptoms for the fourth time in 8 years. The condition has responded to non-surgical treatment in the past, but each subsequent time is a slower and more painful recovery. She is underinsured and the cost of a surgery would be beyond her means without some sort of write-off or assistance. However, her family makes too much to qualify for Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS). Examine this case, using each of the following principles in turn as a possible guide to your actions: In consideration of the principle of utility to bring about the greatest good would be to provide the surgery needed to cure the recurring of gull stone attacks. Though surgery has its risks and discomforts, in the long term the patient’s wellbeing and comfort will be enhanced. The principle of equity could see this patient as having used her fair share of resources. This principal appears to be lacking compaction but, given repeated treatment with a lesser degree sustained response places this patient in a category of over using of resources. If action is based on the principal of need, this patient would receive standard treatment unless a life threatening situation arose. If her need becomes greater or she no longer responds to non invasive treatment then, the need for surgery becomes greater. To apply the principle of contribution to this case consideration should be given with regards to the fact that the patient does have some insurance and the family is paying taxes on the income that disqualifies them for assistance. The principal of effort could be applied favorably to this patient. Although she is underinsured, putting forth the effort to maintain the insurance she does have and the fact
References: Grand Canyon University, Legal and Ethical Principles. Module 1 Paola, F. A., Walker, R., and Nixon, L. L. (2010). Medical ethics and humanities. Sudbury, MA: Jones and Bartlett.