Ethical Dilemma in the Medical Field

Ethical Dilemma in the Medical Field

Summary of the Article

The article discusses how to solve ethical dilemmas in the veterinary field. It shows how veterinary professionals are driven, high-achieving performers who might struggle when ideal patient outcomes are not achieved. The article also addresses the situations that trigger moral distress and perceptions that show how things ought to have been done. Additionally, it explains how to work through the “ought” factor. Some of the suggestions given in the article include pausing to assess the “ought,” clarifying the root of the problem, assembling information and evidence related to the medical concerns, synthesizing, evaluating the process, and engaging in routine health care to counteract the effect of the ethical dilemmas. Four core constructs of biomedical ethics used by veterinary professionals to problem-solve the dilemma encompass Autonomy, Beneficence, Justice, and Non-maleficence. According to the article, the four core constructs are applied to four topics of evaluation, which form the ethical decision-making model used to make a decision for this particular dilemma.

Ethical Dilemma presented in the Article

The ethical dilemma discussed in the article focuses on the fact that veterinary professionals are driven, high-achieving performers who struggle when ideal patient outcomes are not achieved. This is explained by examining situations that challenge how veterinarians go about their daily practices that may trigger moral distress. Such situations, according to the authors, involve their perceptions on how things ought to have been done, leading to significant effects on the emotional, psychological, and physical well-being of the veterinarians. Other examples of ethical dilemmas include euthanasia of fixable animals, financial constraints that limit on-going treatments, and clients who wish to continue treatments when not recommended. An ethical dilemma that is difficult to resolve results in severe work-related stress, burnouts, and apathy. Veterinarians often set high expectations that might not serve them well when the realities of human behavior, life strain, and resource allocation are brought to bear on patient care. This shows how veterinary professionals are driven, high achieving performers who struggle when ideal patient outcomes are not achieved.

Resolving the Ethical Dilemma

The ethical dilemma in the text is resolved in multiple ways. Veterinarians are advised to formulate a well reasoned, informed, and unbiased point of view when addressing the ethical dilemma. In attempting to solve the dilemma, the veterinarians must consider four core constructs of biomedical ethics. Firstly, autonomy, which involves observing the fundamental freedom of patients to make informed decisions without manipulation. Secondly, beneficence, ensuring that patients receive proper treatment to achieve a desirable medical outcome. Thirdly, justice, which involves fairness in the distribution of scarce resources to every patient and avoiding conflict of interest. Hence, the veterinarians fulfill their duties and professional obligations while upholding integrity. Finally, non-maleficence, which involves inflicting the least possible harm to patients to attain the desired outcome. According to Crane et al. (2015), veterinarians should pause to assess the situation, clarify the major cause of the ethical dilemma, assemble information and evidence, synthesize based on facts, evaluate the process, and engage in complete self-care.

Ethical Decision-making Model

The ethical decision-making model helps to ponder over ethical dilemmas in the veterinary field and make a resolute ethical decision. For this issue, I would apply the Four Box Model to provide a viable solution. First, I would consider medical indications, which involves gathering facts on prognosis, disease progress, and the medical challenges the client is facing. Second, I would consider the client’s preferences and limits. This involves finding out whether the client wants to speak or represented by a family member and fully observe their autonomy. Third, I would consider the patient’s or the client’s quality of life, which encompasses observing the general condition of the patients and their experiences. Fourth, I would consider any contextual features, focusing on the cultural, legal, and economic circumstances of the patient.

In conclusion, careful ethical decisions are significant not only in the veterinary field, but also in other medical-related fields. Hence, effective, ethical decision-making models facilitate the management of an ethical dilemma. The decision-making models help to view the problem in a three-dimensional approach, allowing reasoning, critical thinking, and analysis that is significant in reaching a conclusion based on facts, ethics, and principles. Therefore, veterinary professionals should apply appropriate decision-making models, including the four core constructs of biomedical ethics, to problem-solve the ethical dilemmas.

References

Crane, M., Phillips, J., & Karin, E. (2015). Trait perfectionism strengthens the negative effects of moral stressors occurring in veterinary practice. Australian Veterinary Journal, 93(10), 354-360. https://doi.org/10.1111/avj.12366

Moses, L., Malowney, M. J., & Wesley Boyd, J. (2018). Ethical conflict and moral distress in veterinary practice: A survey of North American veterinarians. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine, 32(6), 2115-2122. https://doi.org/10.1111/jvim.15315