Running head: ETHICS AND HEALTHCARE

Ethics and Healthcare

Name

Institution
ETHICS AND HEALTHCARE

Ethical dilemma refers to issues in the decision-making process between possible

alternatives. An ethical dilemma occurs when a specific scenario, decision, or practice creates

a conflict with a moral principle. Unethical practices are challenging since they are hard to

handle if no precedents or guidelines are given. A nurse and patient can have a conflict due to

activities that question the moral standpoint. The ethical dilemma that would require to be

solved is physician-assisted death (Thomas et al., 2018). Provider assisted death is

controversial moral issues in healthcare. It involves passive euthanasia and helped suicide. A

patient can request medical assistance in dying when they deem palliative care to be futile.

Healthcare providers should use an ethical decision-making process to address a moral

dilemma.

The ethical decision-making process helps define physician-assisted death and

identify the ethical principles involved in the issue. A nurse provides quality care to the

patient, has an obligation to offer benefits for the patient and not harm them; therefore,

assisting one die violates the principle of non-maleficence. It helps a healthcare provider

collect facts about physician-assisted death. One finds the legal consequences of helping a

patient die and understanding whether the case has been handled before. Once an individual

has gathered facts about physician-assisted death, the decision process guides one to list the

options likely to solve the patient's issue (Nelson, 2015). A nurse evaluates the effective

options listed, which can address physician-assisted death by considering how the decision

benefits the patient. The process aids one makes a fair decision for the patient. A nurse can

encourage to stay focused on patient care delivery since the condition is manageable, and

soon, they will be back to normal life. The ethical decision-making process directs nurses

when to assesses patient response to care and adherence to medication and appointment

schedule.
ETHICS AND HEALTHCARE

References

Nelson, W. (2015, July 1). Making Ethical Decisions. A six-step process should guide ethical

decision making in healthcare. Healthcare executive, 30 4, 46-8.

Thomas, K., Smith, J.D., Phillips, J., & Falkenheimer, S. (2018, October 8). Solving Ethical

Dilemmas in International Healthcare Professional Education: A Case Study Using a

Revised Ethical Model. Christian Journal for Global Health, 5, 29-34.