Human Research Precis - Coursework Example

How to Resolve an Ethical Dilemma Concerning Randomized Clinical Trials Don Marquis Schema on Marquis’ argument 1. When physicians consider enrolling their patients in randomized clinical tests, an apparent ethical dilemma arises. 2. A physician should not recommend which strategy is better unless they are sure that the strategy is good and will be acceptable to the patient. 3. All physicians have an obligation to obtain their patients’ informed consent to treatment.4. Respect for patient’s values is a central purpose of informed consent and physicians must consider it in delivering treatment.

(from 2 and 3)5. A physician can recommend a treatment as well as ask the patient whether they are willing to partake a randomized clinical test. 6. Therefore, the ethical dilemma that arises when considering treatment options can be resolved by obtaining the patient’s consent when recommending a treatment and allowing them to participate in a randomized clinical test. (from 1, 4, and 4) Precise on Marquis’ argument Marquis recounts how ethical dilemma arises when physicians consider enrolling their patients in randomized clinical tests.

Physicians can resolve this dilemma by recommending the best treatment option when they are sure that it would result in greater benefits to the customer or do not recommend any treatment option and in turn involve the patient in selection of the best treatment option. Notably, the physician must be certain that the treatment option that they recommend is best while still upholding the patient’s rights. If for instance a randomized clinical test is being conducted to compare treatment option A and B, and the physician openly prefers treatment option A, they must inform the patient about their preference but should not force them into buying into their preference.

All physicians have an obligation to obtain their patients informed consent to treatment and can attain this by explaining to the patient the benefits and risks of the preferred alternative and alternative option and allow the patient to choose their preferred choice if that is possible. A reasonable alternative is to undertake treatment alternative A or allow the patient to participate in a randomized clinical test comparing the treatment options. Apparently, when a trial is available, enrollment in a haphazard clinical test is a superior therapeutic alternative.

Respect for patient’s values is a central purpose of informed consent and physicians must consider it in delivering treatment. Marquis further notes that some patients might prefer participating in a randomized study that will positively contribute to medical progress and development or discovery of aspects that will improve the health of patients in future rather than simply following the unfounded recommendations of physicians. Noteworthy, a physician can recommend a treatment as well as ask the patient whether they are willing to partake a randomized clinical test just to ensure that their consent freely expressed.

What’s more, an opportunity to contribute in randomized clinical trials is ethically permissible and morally obligatory. The dilemma of whether to involve patients in randomized clinical tests can be resolved by taking informed consent earnestly. Offering patients a chance to participate in the randomized tests might not always be beneficial or practical considering the sheer fact that some patients might be unwilling to participate in the study once they realize that their physicians prefer a specific option.

However, physicians can encourage their patients to participate in the study by explicating to them that their preference is based on limited evidence which in most cases is undependable. More than ever before, physicians have the moral duty and obligation to enroll their patients in randomized tests that would benefit the medical fraternity and patients as well. Therefore, the ethical dilemma that arises when considering whether to involve patients in a randomized clinical test can be resolved by obtaining the patient’s consent when recommending a treatment and allowing them to participate in a randomized clinical test.

This is a clear indication that their consent has been taken into consideration and patient has selected what they feel to be appropriate to them.