2012-2013 Ethics and Professionalism II

<-- 2012-2013 MCH Competency Reflections

Josie Badger, a first year LEND trainee and PhD candidate in Healthcare Ethics at Duquesne University, presented an overview on healthcare ethics. The presentation was based on her professional and her personal experiences.  Josie discussed why she is so passionate about ethics as she shared anecdotes from her past about lack of autonomy and disrespect from healthcare professionals during her own care. She also reviewed the history of ethics as a discipline, including key terms and historical case studies that impacted the state of ethics today. Lastly, the class discussed more current case studies that addressed topics such as patient safety and assisted suicide. 

Through discussing these case studies, the class was challenged to think about ethical questions such as: what affects our personal ethical beliefs, who is affected by the ethical dilemma, what are the different considerations/perspectives of each involved party, and what would we have decided if we were on the ethical decision-making committee? Ashley X was one case that addressed the ethics competency, and specifically targeted persons with diminished autonomy and how to protect their rights. For example, when someone is not capable of voicing his/her own opinion, how should healthcare decisions be made? Another case example highlighted a different dilemma within the competency of ethics, which is the withdrawing of healthcare. For example, in Terry Schaivo’s case, her husband wanted to withdraw care, while her parents were willing to care for her but did not have guardianship. Another competency that this presentation indirectly addressed was family-centered care. For example, in the Baby Doe case, the parents disagreed with the medical staff regarding their newborn’s need for corrective surgery. This case and other examples challenged us to think about the role of the provider versus the family in making healthcare decisions.