Introduction to Ethics in the Healthcare Setting - Essay Example

"Introduction to Ethics in the Healthcare Setting" is a great example of a paper on medical ethics.
Question 1

One of the most significant ethical issues in health care is confidentiality. The protection of the patient’s data and information- this can be personal, public, and oral conversations between the patient and the doctor. In the past patients, medical records were accessible to everyone, but this changed and that information lies to the doctor and the patient. This restriction extends even to the Record assistants (Gillon, 2010). Many hospitals these days are adhering to these changes in the ethical issues, but a challenge still remains to others who are not up to for these changes.  Confidentiality of information as an ethical issue goes hand in hand with the authentication of information concerning health matters. This ethical issue falls in two forms: when providing feedback to the patient about his/her diagnosis and during health care marketing.  It is due responsibility of hospital authorities that information that its doctors and other physicians are providing in total correctness and accuracy. The information and data provided should not be misleading; rather the patient’s welfare should be the primary goal and objective.

The second ethical issue affecting medical care is the prevention of the transmission of diseases.  The ethical concern to most of the health care workers is the protection of and endanger of getting communicable diseases from patients especially if the patient’s history is unknown. Though, the health care workers, have a right to prevent themselves from this transmission they also have to take care that patients are not uncomfortable due to the protection measures (Gillon, 2010). This ethical issue also concerns the safeguarding of patients' welfare. Promoting and safeguarding the welfare of patients should be adhered to by being honest. Any health professional should not assume patients with respect to their race, social status, or creed.

Though, health care ethical issues above are being adhered the ethical principle should be reproached to create a clear understanding of the ethical issues.

Question 2

In order to meet the ethical issues, different methods that will help to reach the ethical positions should be used; professional health workers should be to have great communication- use of proper language since it is a building block for all thought processes. For this reason, we are able to reach all ethical positions hence ethical issues. The use of proper reasoning skills will also help us to have an assessment of actions, and judgment when addressing ethical dilemmas (Rigda, 2012).

Ethical theories work as a guide to meet the ethical dilemmas in health care. The theories can be used as a guide to support our thinking and support on decision making. The theory of consequentialism will help address the ethical issues above since it acts as a guide as it stipulates maximizing of good to the greatest number. This theory will help health professional to overcome dilemmas (Edag, 2009).  

The theory of deontology will also be significant in addressing the ethical issues the theory above protects the rights, duties, and principles that govern ethical rights to both patients and health professionals. In order to meet the above ethical issues above, I consider that the principle of the common good will help to overcome the ethical dilemma (Rigda, 2012).