Ethics of Double Effect

Double Effect

• An action intended for good may have a harmful side effect.
• The action is ethically permissible if the harm is not intended, even if it is foreseen.
• Example: Chemotherapy intended to kill cancer cells can cause nausea and vomiting.

Advantages of Double Effect

• Improves patient's chance of recovery and prolongs life
• Provides a compassionate option for suffering patients

Disadvantages of Double Effect

• Can be cumbersome in low-risk situations
• May cause discomfort to patients
• Time-consuming, potentially delaying treatment, especially in emergencies
• Side effects can be severe and negatively impact patient quality of life

Virtues

• Courage: doing the right thing for people you care about, facing difficult decisions and advocating for patient care.
• Justice: ensuring fairness and equality in patient treatment and access to care

Vices

• Substance abuse & drug addiction: Can impair judgment and patient care. Misuse of drugs can endanger patients’ well-being.
• Theft: Stealing things, medical supplies, funds, time, resources.
• Fraud: Falsifying medical records, insurance claims, receiving illegal claims.
• Plagiarism: Citing someone else's work or documentation without giving proper credit.
• Pride: Undermining trust and professional credibility. Failure to seek help; damaging someone else's work or career.

Responsibilities of a Nurse

• Providing basic bedside care.
• Operating medical equipment.
• Conducting physical examinations.
• Providing support and advice to patients.
• Advocating for patient well-being.
• Maintaining inventory.
• Educating patients about managing illness.
• Monitoring patient health.
• Collaborating with a team for patient care.
• Performing diagnostic procedures.
• Recording patient history and symptoms.
• Training and educating staff.
• Administering medications and treatment.

Additional Notes on Responsibilities

• Greed can lead to unnecessary procedures.
• Slander damages the reputation of colleagues by making false statements.
• Greed can lead to unethical practices, such as overcharging.

Ethical Principles in Healthcare

• Beneficence: acting in the best interest of the patient, promoting well-being, and preventing harm.
• Example: encouraging patients to receive necessary vaccinations.

Advantages of Beneficence

• Reduces disease incidence
• Contributes to public health and community well-being

Disadvantages of Beneficence

• Patient concerns or fears about vaccines might lead to conflicts concerning informed consent.

Nonmaleficence

• The duty to do no harm. Emphasizes providing safe, effective, high-quality care.
• Example: Following strict hygiene protocols (handwashing, wearing gloves) when treating patients to prevent infection.

Advantages of Nonmaleficence

• Reduces the risk of hospital-acquired infections
• Protects vulnerable patients.

Qualities that Promote Ethical and Effective Care

• Fidelity (Loyalty): loyalty to patient, colleagues, institutions, schools, community; commitment to providing care.
• Integrity (Honesty): upholding honesty and ethical standards; transparency.
• Humility: accurate self-assessment; recognizing one's limitations; It is important because it fosters learning and growth.
• Respect: valuing patient's dignity, rights, values, and cultural diversity; intentional acts of showing considerations to other people and well-being.
• Compassion: recognition and understanding of emotional resonance with others' concerns, pain, and suffering; showing empathy.
• Prudence: wise decision-making; ability to govern and discipline oneself by practical wisdom.
• Empathy: understanding and sharing the feelings of patients; better address their needs; putting yourself in someone's shoes; providing validation.

Ethical Considerations In Healthcare

Justice

• Advantages: Reduces health disparities and promotes equal access to essential health services
• Disadvantages: Limited resources might affect the quality of care during screenings
• Example: A hospital offering free health services to low-income communities to ensure everyone has access to preventive care

Fairness in Distribution of Resources

• Advantages: Reduces financial barriers to care and encourages people to seek necessary health services.
• Disadvantages: Cost of providing comprehensive care may lead to higher premiums for all insured individuals.
• Example: Health insurance policy covering essential services like preventive care and chronic disease management for all members

Patient Autonomy

• Definition: Refers to the patient's right to make their own healthcare decision and willingly undertaking a given behavior.
• Example: A patient choosing to refuse a specific medication due to personal beliefs or side effects.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Patient Treatment

Respecting Patient Choice

• Advantages: The patient has the right to make informed decisions about their treatment.
• Disadvantages: Refining treatment options may lead to adverse health outcomes. The patient may feel overwhelmed or pressured.

Patient-Centred Decision Making

• Advantages: Empowers patients to choose treatment after discussing potential risks and benefits. Facilitates informed consent.
• Disadvantages: Patients might feel pressured or anxious due to fear of missing opportunities.

Veracity (Honesty)

• Advantages: Honesty with patients about their condition, treatment, and prognosis allows families to prepare emotionally and make necessary arrangements.
• Disadvantages: Family members might experience grief and feel overwhelmed with information.

Transparency

• Advantages: Open communication builds trust and confidence. Corrective actions to avoid future mistakes can be taken.
• Disadvantages: Lack of transparency may lead to loss of confidence and anxiety from the patient.

Respect for Others

• Acknowledging the dignity, rights, and values of all individuals (patients, families, and colleagues) is crucial
• Example: A nurse respects a patient's decision to refuse a particular treatment, even if the nurse believes it beneficial.

Advantages of Respecting Others:

• Supporting patient autonomy
• Respecting patient values and beliefs

Disadvantages of Respecting Others:

• Potential for negative health outcomes due to patient choices
• Ethical dilemmas for the healthcare team

Stewardship

• Responsible management of resources, including time, supplies, and finances, to provide the best care without waste.
• Example: A nurse monitors medication expiration dates and ensures medications are used before they expire.

Advantages of Stewardship

• Reduces medication waste and ensures patients receive effective treatments.

Disadvantages of Stewardship

• May pressure nurses to use medications quickly, potentially compromising careful patient assessment.

Cooperation

• Working with other professionals and clients to achieve the best outcomes.
• Example: Nurses must collaborate with other healthcare team members to provide integrated care. Nurses collaborate with incoming shift nurses during handoff reports to ensure continuity of care.

Advantages of Cooperation

• Reduce the risk of errors
• Enhances patient safety by sharing critical information.

Disadvantages of Cooperation

• Information overload if too much detail is provided, leading to confusion.

Explore the ethical considerations surrounding the principle of Double Effect in medical treatment. This quiz covers the advantages and disadvantages of using this principle while highlighting the ethical virtues and vices associated with patient care. Test your understanding of how intended good actions can have unforeseen harmful effects.