CASE ANALYSIS REPORT:
Informed Consent: Rights of
the Dying and the Rights of
Their Family
BY GROUP 2
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Learning outcomes in the course of normative ethics
are the following:
1. Understanding and evaluating key ethical theories.
2. Analyzing and application of ethical principles.
3. Development of critical assessment skills.
4 Recognition of contextual influences.
5. Cultivation of ethical decision-making skills.
6. Reflecting on personal values and beliefs.
7. Engaging in dialogues and debates.
INTRODUCTION
Navigating informed consent in the context of end-of-
life care involves complex ethical considerations and
legal frameworks that aim to uphold the rights and
dignity of dying patients and their families. Informed
consent is a fundamental ethical principle that
respects individuals' autonomy and requires
healthcare providers to provide patients with
relevant information about their medical condition,
prognosis, treatment options, and potential risks and
benefits. However, in end-of-life situations, where
patients may be incapacitated or nearing the end of
their lives, ensuring informed consent becomes
particularly challenging.
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CASE ANALYSIS
Mrs. Cruz, a 68-year-old widow, has been
diagnosed with advanced stage cancer.
Despite undergoing extensive treatment, her
condition continues to deteriorate rapidly,
rendering her incapable of making informed
decisions regarding her medical care. The
court appoints her son, Jose, as her legal
guardian and surrogate decision-maker.
In her advanced directive, Mrs. Cruz states
that she wants hospice care and comfort
measures, with a focus on avoiding invasive
therapies that would make her suffering
worse. But Jose can't help but feel
overwhelmed by the emotional weight of
seeing his mother deteriorate, and he finds it
difficult to respect her choice to avoid
forceful measures.
JOSE’S ETHICAL DILEMMA
Jose's ethical dilemma regarding
his mother's end-of-life care
involves balancing the rights of
the dying with the rights of their
family members, particularly his
own emotional struggles and
desires for his mother's well-
being.
NORMATIVE ETHICS IN THE CASE OF MRS.
CRUZ
Normative ethics is a branch of ethics that focuses
on establishing how people ought to act morally in
various situations. It is concerned with developing
and evaluating ethical frameworks, principles, and
guidelines that guide individuals and societies in
making moral decisions and judgments.
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Role of normative ethics in
guiding moral decision-
making in a given case
study
Explanation of the three kinds of normative
ethics
-DEONTOLOGICAL ETHICS
-TELEOLOGICAL ETHICS
-VIRTUE ETHICS
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DEONTOLOGICAL ETHICS
Is an ethical system that is based on independent
moral rules and duties. The term came from the
Greek word deon, which means "duty" implying
the foundational nature of man's duties and
obligation.
Also called non-consequentialism
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TELEOLOGICAL ETHICS
Refers to the moral system that determines
the moral value of actions by their
outcome or result
From the Greek word "telos" which means
"end" teleology takes into account the end
result of the action as the exclusive
consideration of its morality. Its most
famous form is consequentialism which
proposes that morality is determined solely
by cost-benefit evaluation of the action
consequences.
VIRTUE ETHICS
Virtue ethics is an ethical theory that emphasizes the
importance of developing good character traits, or virtues, such
as honesty, courage, and compassion. It focuses on cultivating
moral excellence and living a virtuous life rather than following
strict moral rules or calculating consequences.
Virtue Ethics acquired through practice.
Virtue Ethics will highlight the character of a person.
So, virtue ethics helps us understand what it means to be a
virtuous human being
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In this case, virtue ethics would guide Jose to consider his
role as a surrogate decision-maker in light of his mother's
values and wishes, as outlined in her advanced directive. Jose
would be encouraged to cultivate virtues such as compassion,
empathy, and respect for his mother's autonomy.
Virtue ethics would also encourage Jose to seek support
and guidance to cope with the emotional burden of witnessing
his mother's decline, promoting virtues such as resilience and
humility in acknowledging his limitations.
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ETHICAL ANALYSIS OF CULTURAL AND
FAMILIAL DYNAMICS OF THE CRUZ FAMILY
The ethical analysis of cultural and familial dynamics
entails investigating how ethical principles and
decision-making intersect with cultural norms,
values, and familial relationships. Cultural
sensitivity, knowledge of ethical ideas, and a
dedication to advancing moral behavior in a variety
of cultural situations are necessary for this kind of
analysis.
1. Cultural Influence: Opinions about end-of-life care
differ among cultures. Mrs. Cruz's cultural heritage may
have an impact on her wishes for palliative care.
2. Family dynamics: Because of emotional
attachments and expectations from his family, Jose,
Mrs. Cruz's son, finds it difficult to accept her decision.
3. Ethical Considerations: It's critical to strike a
balance between Jose's wish to lessen Mrs. Cruz's
suffering and her right to autonomy. It is morally right
to honor her wishes while attending to Jose's worries.
4. Resolution of Conflict: Cultural norms, familial
relationships, and ethical ideals can be reconciled with
Jose's assistance and open communication.
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CONCLUSION
In conclusion, looking at ethical dilemmas within
the framework of cultural and familial dynamics
highlights the complex interplay between individual
moral principles and societal expectations. Throughout
this case study, we examined the ethical challenges
faced by individuals navigating conflicting norms and
obligations, while also exploring the application of
various ethical theories: deontological ethics,
teleological ethics, and virtue ethics.
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