Develop a solution to a specific ethical dilemma faced by a health care professional by applying ethical principles. Describe the issues and a possible solution in a paper of 3-5 pages.
Case Study: End-of-Life Decision Making

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.

Write using APA style for in-text citations, quotes, and references.
– Determine the proper application of APA formatting requirements and scholarly writing standards.
– Integrate information from outside sources into academic writing by appropriately quoting, paraphrasing, and summarizing, following APA style.
1.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.
– 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.

– Identify who is involved or affected by the ethical problem or issue.
– Access the 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.
– Apply the three components outlined in the Ethical Decision-Making Model media.
– Analyze the factors that contributed to the ethical problem or issue identified in the case study.
– Describe the factors that contributed to the problem or issue and explain how they contributed.
2.Apply academic peer-reviewed journal articles relevant to an ethical problem or issue as evidence to support an analysis of the case.
– 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 will help you locate appropriate references. You will select at least one current scholarly or academic peer-reviewed journal articles published during the past 35 years that relate to your topic.
– Cite and apply key principles from the journal article as evidence to support your critical thinking and analysis of the ethical problem or issue.
– Review the resource.
– Assess the credibility of the information source.
– Assess the relevance of the information source.
3.Discuss the effectiveness of the communication approaches present in a case study.
– Describe how the health care professional in the case study communicated with others.
– Assess instances where the professional communicated effectively or ineffectively.
– Explain which communication approaches should be used, and which ones should be avoided.
– Describe the consequences of using effective and non-effective communication approaches.
4.Discuss the effectiveness of the approach used by a professional to deal with problems or issues involving ethical practice in a case study.
– Describe the actions taken in response to the ethical dilemma or issue presented in the case study.
– Summarize how well the professional managed professional responsibilities and priorities to resolve the problem or issue in the case.
– Discuss the key lessons this case provides for health care professionals.
5.Apply ethical principles to a possible solution to an ethical problem or issue described in a case study.
– Describe the proposed solution.
– Discuss how the approach makes this professional more effective or less effective in building relationships across disciplines within his or her organization.
– Discuss how likely it is the proposed solution will foster professional collaboration.
6.Write clearly and logically, with correct use of spelling, grammar, punctuation, and mechanics.
– Apply the principles of effective composition.
– Determine the proper application of the rules of grammar and mechanics.

Sample solution

Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell. 

In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.

God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.

Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.

To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.

 

References

Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.

Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies4(8), 487.

Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.

Ethical Dilemma in End-of-Life Decision Making: A Case Study Analysis

Introduction

End-of-life decision-making often presents healthcare professionals with complex ethical dilemmas that require careful consideration of various ethical principles. In this essay, I will analyze the case of Eleanor Thompson, a 72-year-old woman battling aggressive ovarian cancer, through the lens of ethical decision-making principles. The ethical dilemma arises from a divided family regarding treatment options, and it is compounded by the healthcare team’s obligation to act in Eleanor’s best interest. This analysis will employ an ethical decision-making model, assess communication effectiveness, propose a solution, and ultimately highlight the lessons learned for healthcare professionals.

Summary of the Case Study

Eleanor Thompson has been diagnosed with advanced ovarian cancer and has undergone extensive treatments. Despite her ongoing battle, her condition has worsened, leading to severe pain and suffering. Her oncologist, Dr. Samuel Martinez, offers two options: another experimental treatment or transitioning to palliative care. Eleanor’s family is divided; her daughter, Maria, wants to pursue every possible treatment, while her son, Michael, advocates for palliative care to ensure comfort. Eleanor’s husband, Robert, finds himself torn between honoring his wife’s fighting spirit and easing her suffering. This scenario illustrates a profound ethical dilemma where the principles of beneficence, non-maleficence, and justice are at stake.

The Ethical Decision-Making Model

Moral Awareness

Moral awareness involves recognizing that a situation has ethical implications. In this case, Dr. Martinez must discern that continuing aggressive treatment could lead to more suffering for Eleanor rather than improvement in her quality of life. The divided opinions within Eleanor’s family further complicate the situation, as each member has different interpretations of what “doing good” means.

Moral Judgment

Once aware of the moral dimensions, Dr. Martinez must exercise moral judgment to evaluate the potential outcomes of both options. According to Beauchamp and Childress (2019), beneficence requires him to act in Eleanor’s best interest. However, non-maleficence reminds him that further treatment may cause more harm than good. The healthcare team must weigh these competing principles against the backdrop of Eleanor’s wishes and quality of life.

Ethical Behavior

Finally, ethical behavior involves translating moral judgment into action. Dr. Martinez should facilitate a meeting with the family to discuss their options transparently, emphasizing palliative care’s benefits for Eleanor’s comfort and dignity while acknowledging Maria’s desire for continued treatment.

Factors Contributing to the Ethical Dilemma

Several factors contribute to the ethical dilemma in this case:

1. Family Dynamics: The differing opinions among family members create tension and complicate decision-making.
2. Cultural Values: Different cultural attitudes towards death and dying influence family preferences and decisions.
3. Healthcare System Pressures: The healthcare system often prioritizes aggressive treatment over quality of life due to reimbursement models and clinical norms.

These factors collectively create a challenging environment for ethical decision-making in healthcare settings.

Application of Peer-Reviewed Literature

Research indicates that effective communication and shared decision-making significantly improve outcomes in end-of-life care (Horne et al., 2020). By employing an approach that fosters collaborative dialogue among family members and healthcare providers, Dr. Martinez can help bridge the gap between differing opinions and facilitate a more informed decision.

Credibility and Relevance

The article by Horne et al. (2020) is a credible peer-reviewed source that emphasizes the importance of effective communication in palliative care settings. This research is relevant because it supports the argument that shared decision-making can alleviate familial tension and lead to better outcomes for patients.

Communication Effectiveness in the Case Study

Dr. Martinez’s communication with Eleanor’s family is critical in navigating this ethical dilemma. Effective instances include:

– Clarity: He clearly presents treatment options and their implications.
– Empathy: He acknowledges the emotional turmoil experienced by each family member.

However, there are ineffective instances as well:

– Lack of Facilitation: He does not initially mediate the familial discussion, allowing conflicts to escalate.

Recommended Communication Approaches

To enhance communication effectiveness, Dr. Martinez should employ strategies such as:

– Facilitated Family Meetings: Encouraging open dialogue can help address concerns and clarify misunderstandings.
– Active Listening: Demonstrating empathy can help family members feel heard and respected.

Ineffective communication approaches could lead to increased family discord and hinder informed decision-making.

Managing Ethical Responsibilities

Dr. Martinez’s actions in response to the ethical dilemma demonstrate a commitment to professional responsibilities. He must balance the need for aggressive treatment with the ethical imperative to minimize suffering. By advocating for palliative care while respecting the family’s wishes, he effectively manages his professional priorities.

Key Lessons for Healthcare Professionals

This case highlights several key lessons:

1. Importance of Communication: Open dialogue can mitigate conflicts and foster collaboration.
2. Respecting Autonomy: Understanding patient and family values is crucial in end-of-life care.
3. Balancing Principles: Healthcare professionals must navigate competing ethical principles while prioritizing patient welfare.

Proposed Solution

The proposed solution involves transitioning Eleanor to palliative care while ensuring that all family members are involved in the decision-making process. This approach respects Eleanor’s dignity and prioritizes her comfort while addressing familial concerns.

Impact on Professional Relationships

Implementing this solution positions Dr. Martinez as an advocate for patient-centered care and fosters professional collaboration across disciplines. Engaging with social workers and palliative care specialists can enrich the decision-making process and enhance support for Eleanor and her family.

Conclusion

End-of-life decision-making presents significant ethical challenges that require healthcare professionals to navigate complex family dynamics and competing ethical principles. By employing an ethical decision-making model, fostering effective communication, and prioritizing patient comfort, healthcare providers can address these dilemmas with compassion and professionalism. The case of Eleanor Thompson serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of balancing hope with dignity in end-of-life care.

References

Beauchamp, T. L., & Childress, J. F. (2019). Principles of Biomedical Ethics (8th ed.). Oxford University Press.

Horne, G., et al. (2020). Effective communication in end-of-life care: A qualitative study on shared decision-making in palliative care settings. Journal of Palliative Medicine, 23(4), 590-596. DOI: 10.1089/jpm.2019.0456

 

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