In discussing the difficult subject of biomedical ethics, there are different scenarios that play out differently because of people’s views about morality. Consider the scenario of an eighty year-old man whom we will call Mr. Simpson. Years of getting the flu with complications has left Mr. Simpson’s lungs very weak and unable to take another year of the flu. In fact another year of the flu will likely kill him. He does not want the flu shot because he sincerely believes that the actual flu shot will give him the flu. With further research, the doctor and the family find that Mr. Simpson will accept an immune boosting shot only. If the physician lies to Mr. Simpson about the injection then he will accept it. What it all boils down to is, if the physician tells the truth, then Mr. Simpson will refuse the flu shot, likely contract the flu, and possibly die. On the other hand, if the physician lies to Mr. Simpson, then he will accept the flu shot and potentially be okay for the next flu season. The dilemma lies in what the physician should do; lie to the patient or be truthful.…
The article “Medical Technology and Ethical Issues” by William E. Thompson and Joseph V. Hickey discusses the use of some technology in the medical field. Throughout this passage the authors’ goal is to inform the reader about how programs like RIP can be a benefit medical situations and employees. In the beginning of the article the authors create an urgent, worried tone by describing the scene of a patient arriving to the hospital in an ambulance; this shows the importance of situations like this, which is why the authors describe the quick results of some medical technologies as a positive. After describing the scene the authors use mostly a flat tone to describe the impact of these programs.…
In the health care field there will always be ethical dilemmas to contend with and the majority of these are the most difficult to imagine. In this case, a 96 year old male cancer patient is receiving naturopathic treatment from his daughter who happens to be a physician in that field. This has caused conflict between the daughter and the regular physicians due to the fact that they feel she may be causing her father unnecessary pain as well as speeding up his death. The scope of healthcare ethics encompasses the decision making process and how it relates to what is right and what is wrong. Therefore it is important…
One of todays biggest ethical dilemmas can be found in the Medical field. We all turn our heads away and cringe when we hear the term "human test subjects", as the past has been dark and far from any morality in this domain; yet we do not cease to use the findings of the sadistic experiments. Researchers now use mice and other animals which can show the effects a(n) medication/evolution/disease may have on humans. But I find testing on clueless animals immoral.…
The use of technology in healthcare and the delivery of this technology to healthcare present many challenges, technology contributes to improving the quality of healthcare but it does impact healthcare cost, however there are some trade-offs. “The term “medical technology” refers to procedures, equipment, and processes by which medical care is delivered.” (Goyen, Mathias. 2009) Some of the current challenges in healthcare are patient privacy and protection when using wireless technology, tracking patients and staff while in the healthcare environment, and transitioning medical records to electronic medical records to help reduce mistakes and improve patient safety. Technology does contribute to improving the quality of healthcare but it does impact healthcare cost, which has been one of the reasons why insurance premiums have been high. (Goyen, Mathias. 2009) Some of the trade-offs are the medical advancements that can be made with medical technology. (Thomas, RL. 2011)…
This group is faced with new ethical dilemmas everyday whether that be regarding the treatment which patients decide to have or those which relate to the withdrawing of life saving care.…
If the users of technology are properly informed and are consistent with morality, they are capable of utilizing and managing high-tech tools in an appropriate way. Nowadays, technology has a greater power to handle difficult diseases, which brings hopes and confidences for patients and their families. Belkin in her essay presents the story of Henry, who endures the pain of Fanconi anemia and faces the danger of losing life at any time. Her mother, Laura never has a thought of giving up her son on account of her humanity. She says: “We hoped. We believed. We were brave. We persevered. And despite all that it didn’t work. I am left with my belief system intact. I believe in love and science. Nothing more, nothing less”(Belkin 16). Humanity is a precious virtue that refers to being loving and caring towards people, plants and animals. It is a human nature, which can be aroused when a person plays a certain role in society. For instance, parents like Laura always embraces the faith of protecting her children all the time no matter what disasters happen to them. A mother’s instinct is Laura’s motivation to persist in curing her son. The application of technology enables her to regain hopes over and over again. Bone-marrow transplant and its related researches become the backbone for parents to develop their humanities…
Ethical issues will continue to challenge the healthcare profession in response the ever expanding advances of scientific knowledge. With the advances in technology prolonging lives, lack of legal documentation acknowledging patients’…
Medical Technologies (MT) is an essential factor when it comes to science . However, there seems to be a misunderstanding on who should have the power to control its use.The three most common figures that are usually involved in controlling MT’s are the government, doctors, and society.Each representative has its own advantages and disadvantages .In both essays ,”The Made to Order Savior” by Lisa Belkin and “Who Holds the Clicker” by Lauren Slater , medical technology procedures are executed yet controlled and regulated differently. Every figure has its own guidelines as to how to control this technology and at times there was no control at all .Medical practices are very important and sometimes necessary to save a patients life . With proper funding from the government , doctors should have the authority to control how medical technology is used.…
Going back hundreds of years, we can trace the history of health care. Although it has evolved over the years, it all has a common goal; to heal those who are ill. Technology is one of the major evolutions and now plays a big role in the health care system. It helps patients to be more involved with their healthcare. They can make appointments, follow up on test results, and contact their doctors. Back then, they didn’t even have all the medicine we have now, let alone the technology. We can only imagine what is in store for the future.…
I need to conduct an interview with a leader in healthcare for my Health Care Biomedical Ethics course. I have read some of the articles you published in Center for Health Care Strategies, and I appreciate your voice in the healthcare industry. Will you accept this email invite as an interview for my course. If you agree to the interview, I will provide you the questions by email for you to respond and send them back. Please let me know by Wednesday, October 5, 2016.…
The three levels of technology in medicine are non technology, halfway technology, and high technology. Non technology is not only high in cost, but it requires plenty of effort and skill for a doctor. Non technology is a type of supportive medical care in the medical field. This type of “technology” in medicine require physicians to provide reassurance to healthy patients that believe they have contracted a fatal illness. Non technology takes up a lot of time and is not real technology. Non technology does not involve procedures directed at the underlying mechanism of disease and it doesn’t change the natural course of disease or its aftereffect. Halfway technology is designed to address the symptoms of a disease, but not what caused the…
Since the late 1980’s technology has been rapidly advancing on earth. From the development of computers to 3D printers, technology has aided many professions throughout the years. In the world of medicine, technology has aided physicians, nurses, and surgeons tremendously with the inventions of MRI machines, more accurate medication, and now, artificial organs can be created to replace vital organs that are no longer able to properly function. With the fear of technology taking over different fields, the world of medicine is at a less risk than those in retail and mechanics. Technology in the medical world will most likely leave a positive impact and create a more accurate environment. With less errors and safer practices, a doctor and nurse…
Over the last decade, cell phones have become increasingly popular and are only going to become more popular as the years go on. Due to this rise in popularity, the question and worry of whether cell phones cause brain cancer has become more problematic. Most of the websites I researched gave good reasons regarding the possibility of them causing brain cancer, while the other website gave good reasons as to why they do not. Both of them provided liable information that stood by their opinion which makes it hard to believe what is true. The question ‘Do cell phones cause brain cancer?’ is still a question that cannot be answered to this day. However, the information I will reveal in this paper will help you decide what your opinion is on the topic.…
Rapid and dramatic developments in medicine and technology have completely given us the power to save more lives than was ever possible in the past. Medicines have put at our disposal the means to cure or to reduce the fatal suffering of people afflicted with diseases that were once fatal or painful. At the same time, medical technologies have given us the power to sustain the lifes (or, some would say, prolong the deaths) of patients whose physical and mental sustainability cannot be restored, whose horrible degenerating conditions cannot be reversed, and whose fatal pain cannot be eliminated. As medicines struggle to pull more and more people away from the hand of death, the plea that tortured, deteriorated lives be mercifully…