Reference no: EM133554795

Assignment: Ethical Decision

Eleanor Thompson, a 72-year-old woman, has been battling an aggressive form of ovarian cancer for the past three years. Despite undergoing multiple rounds of chemotherapy and radiation, her condition has deteriorated, and she is now experiencing severe pain and suffering. Eleanor's oncologist, Dr. Samuel Martinez, has presented the family with the option of another experimental treatment, but he has also suggested considering transitioning to palliative care. Eleanor's family is deeply divided on the decision. Her eldest daughter, Maria, believes that every possible treatment should be pursued, holding onto hope for a miracle. She argues that her mother has always been a fighter and would want to continue the battle against her illness. On the other hand, Eleanor's son, Michael, feels that his mother has suffered enough. He believes that transitioning to palliative care would allow her to spend her remaining days in comfort and peace. Caught in the middle is Eleanor's husband of 50 years, Robert. He is torn between wanting to honor his wife's fighting spirit, desiring to ease her pain, and the painful finality of either decision. The healthcare team must navigate a complex ethical landscape. Beneficence, the principle of doing good, pushes the team to consider what would truly benefit Eleanor in terms of quality of life. Non-maleficence, or "do no harm," raises questions about the potential suffering Eleanor might endure with further aggressive treatments. Lastly, the principle of justice requires the team to treat Eleanor fairly and equitably, ensuring her needs are met regardless of family disagreements.

Using the case study above, answer the questions below.

I. Summarize the facts in the selected case study and use the three components of an ethical decision-making model to analyze an ethical problem or issue and the factors that contributed to it.

1. Identify which case study you selected and briefly summarize the facts surrounding it. Identify the problem or issue that presents an ethical dilemma or challenge and describe that dilemma or challenge.

2. Identify who is involved or affected by the ethical problem or issue.

3. Access the Ethical Decision-Making Model media piece and use the three components of the ethical decision-making model (moral awareness, moral judgment, and ethical behavior) to analyze the ethical issues.

a. Apply the three components outlined in the Ethical Decision-Making Model media.

4. Analyze the factors that contributed to the ethical problem or issue identified in the case study.

a. Describe the factors that contributed to the problem or issue and explain how they contributed.

II. Apply academic peer-reviewed journal articles relevant to an ethical problem or issue as evidence to support an analysis of the case.

1. In addition to the readings provided, use the Capella library to locate at least one academic peer-reviewed journal article relevant to the problem or issue that you can use to support your analysis of the situation. The NHS-FPX4000: Developing a Health Care Perspective Library Guide will help you locate appropriate references.

a. Cite and apply key principles from the journal article as evidence to support your critical thinking and analysis of the ethical problem or issue.

b. Review the Think Critically About Source Quality resource.

i. Assess the credibility of the information source.
ii. Assess the relevance of the information source.

III. Discuss the effectiveness of the communication approaches present in a case study.

1. Describe how the health care professional in the case study communicated with others.

2. Assess instances where the professional communicated effectively or ineffectively.

3. Explain which communication approaches should be used and which ones should be avoided.

4. Describe the consequences of using effective and non-effective communication approaches.

IV. Discuss the effectiveness of the approach used by a professional to deal with problems or issues involving ethical practice in a case study.

1. Describe the actions taken in response to the ethical dilemma or issue presented in the case study.

2. Summarize how well the professional managed professional responsibilities and priorities to resolve the problem or issue in the case.

3. Discuss the key lessons this case provides for health care professionals.

V. Apply ethical principles to a possible solution to an ethical problem or issue described in a case study.

1. Describe the proposed solution.

2. Discuss how the approach makes this professional more effective or less effective in building relationships across disciplines within his or her organization.

3. Discuss how likely it is the proposed solution will foster professional collaboration.

VI. Write clearly and logically, with correct use of spelling, grammar, punctuation, and mechanics.

1. Apply the principles of effective composition.

2. Determine the proper application of the rules of grammar and mechanics.