As the law ends, ethics begins its course. In the healthcare system, law and clinical ethics are disciplines that have related concepts with unique parameters and a separate focus (Atkins, De Lacey, and Britton 2014). To better understand the role of law and ethics in healthcare and their overlapping responsibility and influence in the Australian healthcare system, an analysis will discuss a case study involving an ethical dilemma. Various relevant legal issues, ethical principles, and theories will be discussed. This study will first briefly define the concept of law and ethical conduct in Australia before observing the scenario and the moral dilemma created by it. Ethical decisions will be measured and finally two different pathways to solve
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Such laws are mainly set to protect patients and provide the medical system with a conducive environment (Finlay, Stewart and Parker 2013). The law provides the foundation for ethics and nurses are regulated in their professional work by the codes of ethics (Nursing and Midwifery board of Australia, 2008). Ethics in healthcare refers to the act of doing the right thing while delivering best possible health care (Butts & Rich, 2015). Understanding and applying the ethical principals in nursing practice is essential to conduct oneself ethically right (Butts & Rich). There are four core principals in medical ethics which address various issues that arise during nursing practice; these are Autonomy, Beneficence, Nonmaleficence and Justice (Staunton & Chiarella, 2012). However, the application of these principals is not straightforward. Nurse’s often find them in a conundrum as in some cases these principles overlap each other and nurses are forced to make a decision based on some principals while violating others (Karlsson, Roxberg, Barbosa da Silva, & Berggren, …show more content…
Likewise, in this case, study, neither choice can be considered the ‘right’ choice as some ethical principles are breached with either decision. The ethical dilemma here is to not let him leave or act, or let him go or omit. In act and not letting him leave pathway, there are several considerations that need to be addressed such as autonomy, Deontology, mental capacity, consent, beneficence, non-maleficence, Paternalism, and tort laws. When dealing with the ethical dilemmas, it is imperative to first establish if the patient has the ability to consent by conducting the capacity
Such laws are mainly set to protect patients and provide the medical system with a conducive environment (Finlay, Stewart and Parker 2013). The law provides the foundation for ethics and nurses are regulated in their professional work by the codes of ethics (Nursing and Midwifery board of Australia, 2008). Ethics in healthcare refers to the act of doing the right thing while delivering best possible health care (Butts & Rich, 2015). Understanding and applying the ethical principals in nursing practice is essential to conduct oneself ethically right (Butts & Rich). There are four core principals in medical ethics which address various issues that arise during nursing practice; these are Autonomy, Beneficence, Nonmaleficence and Justice (Staunton & Chiarella, 2012). However, the application of these principals is not straightforward. Nurse’s often find them in a conundrum as in some cases these principles overlap each other and nurses are forced to make a decision based on some principals while violating others (Karlsson, Roxberg, Barbosa da Silva, & Berggren, …show more content…
Likewise, in this case, study, neither choice can be considered the ‘right’ choice as some ethical principles are breached with either decision. The ethical dilemma here is to not let him leave or act, or let him go or omit. In act and not letting him leave pathway, there are several considerations that need to be addressed such as autonomy, Deontology, mental capacity, consent, beneficence, non-maleficence, Paternalism, and tort laws. When dealing with the ethical dilemmas, it is imperative to first establish if the patient has the ability to consent by conducting the capacity