Ethics in Healthcare Settings - Essay Example

"Ethics in Healthcare Settings" is an outstanding example of a paper on medical ethics. The Principle of double effect refers to the application of justice in a situation where an action performed with fine intent may trigger another one but with detrimental effects that counteract the previous act (Kellog Library, 2003). When taking a position, individuals should consider their intents in relation to the issue they are trying to solve. The individual is caught up in a dilemma because by trying to help someone, their acts result in unavoidable dreadful consequences (Goldworth, 2008). Similarly, if they fail to take any action still the person they were trying to help will continue to experience suffering.

In this case, Dr. Robinson is taking care of Mr. Mills who is in the final stage of pancreatic cancer. The patient is experiencing intense pain, which prevents him from communicating his feelings to the doctor.  Under such a situation, the doctor may administer morphine to the patient and ease his pain. Alternatively, he may let the patient endure suffering. Although morphine will reduce the suffering, there is a high probability that it will risk the patient’s life. In case the doctor chooses not to administer morphine to the patient, the patient may succumb to pain (Deshpande, 2009). The doctor has to act fairly in accordance with a code of professional principles when dealing with this issue.

Healthcare givers are directed by principles of their ethics in dealing with day to day health-related issues (Goldworth, 2008). Physicians are required by the morality of their profession to all that is necessary to save human lives or reduce their sufferings. At no time should physicians do anything that may cause suffering to anyone, or even fail to do something if the situation requires them to take action of helping other people.

Physicians being aware of the consequences of their actions should take a position that is either neutral or that will help patients to improve from his or her condition. Like in this case, the patient is suffering from pancreatic cancer which has reached a deadly level. The doctor is aware that there is nothing he can do to save the patient from this condition. The patient is also experiencing pain which is so intense that he cannot be able to express his feelings (Lippert-Rasmussen, 2010). In this situation, the physician can use morphine to save the patient from intense pain. Although the patient may die sooner than expected, earlier death may be better than intense suffering and eventual death.

The work of physicians is to save lives and not to destroy it. Regardless of the condition of the patient, doctors should only focus on actions that will help to better the lives of the patients (Ascension Health, 2005). The physicians’ actions should instill confidence in the clients at all times. They use drugs such as morphine which will shorten the lifespan of patients because no one knows when the death of a person may occur. Dr. Robinson should not assume that Mr. Mills is likely to die of cancer anytime since he is in critical condition. He should only do something which may help the patient.

In my opinion, physicians have a responsibility to act in the best interest of the patients which is in accordance with the principle of utilitarianism (Deshpande, 2009).  This requires them to consider the option which has long-term advantages over the other. However, some situations like the one discussed in this case require a physician to apply the principle of consequentialism which requires them to weigh the possible outcomes and base their decision on the outcome of their actions. Therefore, the physician should administer morphine to the patient as ethical of realism since this will provide immediate relief to the patient’s agony. This is because pain may cause death faster than morphine or another drug for suppressing pain. The use of morphine is the only immediate assistance available for patients but there is no assurance that it will be the immediate cause of death (Arnevale, 2009).  

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