Analysis of an Ethical Dilemma (Part One)
Health care professionals deal with a myriad of ethical issues on a daily basis and often, these are convoluted matters. Euthanasia, commonly defined as an intentional act of hastening a patient’s death, is one ethical issue that concerns end-of-life care and its complexities are highly emotional and contentious (Sanders & Chaloner, 2007; Ersek, 2004). The American Nurses Association’s (ANA, 2013) position on this controversial issue forbids nurses’ participation in euthanasia as it opposes the duty to provide compassionate and humane care. However, nurses still need to employ an ethical process when confronted with this dilemma to appropriately care for these types of patients. The purpose of this …show more content…
It’s an act with an intention to end one’s life to relieve them of further suffering and is sometimes misunderstood and used incorrectly. Sanders & Chaloner (2007) stated it is more appropriately defined as assisted dying, which has an influence on healthcare practice as it elicits valid ethical questions. The controversy revolves around the moral validity and acceptability of voluntary euthanasia. Ethical concepts such as rights and autonomy are argued by those who favor this act. A specific request for assisted or voluntary euthanasia is treated as a revelation of a patient’s crisis and their way of informing health care providers of continued suffering (Matzo, Sherman, Melson-Marten, Rhome, & Grant, 2004). If individuals have the right to make a choice about treatment, then it’s reasonable to allow them to make an informed choice about assisted death (Sanders & Chaloner, 2007). Doctors, nurses, Ethics Committee and Chaplain Service all have a stake in this …show more content…
A patient’s dignified death is impaired by society’s unacceptance of euthanasia. This is not widely seen as an acceptable practice within the medical field. Physicians are taught to heal, not help someone die. These are the perception throughout society. However, this common way of thinking must be altered. Euthanasia needs to be viewed as a form of treatment for some of these disease processes patients face, such as cancer or Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). Patients should be guided toward hospice and palliative care. These organizations promote comfort and a dignified way for patients to advance through the disease process. Euthanasia is another option that could allow patient the dignified death they desire. For example, a patient that is diagnosed with ALS, a terrible and debilitating death awaiting them. Physicians and patients know the end results, and do not want to suffer the symptoms nor let their family witness their suffering. Euthanasia would allow individuals the opportunity to have a dignified death and be remembered by loved ones as they are now. Opposed to the illness taking over and them becoming a person they really are
Health care professionals deal with a myriad of ethical issues on a daily basis and often, these are convoluted matters. Euthanasia, commonly defined as an intentional act of hastening a patient’s death, is one ethical issue that concerns end-of-life care and its complexities are highly emotional and contentious (Sanders & Chaloner, 2007; Ersek, 2004). The American Nurses Association’s (ANA, 2013) position on this controversial issue forbids nurses’ participation in euthanasia as it opposes the duty to provide compassionate and humane care. However, nurses still need to employ an ethical process when confronted with this dilemma to appropriately care for these types of patients. The purpose of this …show more content…
It’s an act with an intention to end one’s life to relieve them of further suffering and is sometimes misunderstood and used incorrectly. Sanders & Chaloner (2007) stated it is more appropriately defined as assisted dying, which has an influence on healthcare practice as it elicits valid ethical questions. The controversy revolves around the moral validity and acceptability of voluntary euthanasia. Ethical concepts such as rights and autonomy are argued by those who favor this act. A specific request for assisted or voluntary euthanasia is treated as a revelation of a patient’s crisis and their way of informing health care providers of continued suffering (Matzo, Sherman, Melson-Marten, Rhome, & Grant, 2004). If individuals have the right to make a choice about treatment, then it’s reasonable to allow them to make an informed choice about assisted death (Sanders & Chaloner, 2007). Doctors, nurses, Ethics Committee and Chaplain Service all have a stake in this …show more content…
A patient’s dignified death is impaired by society’s unacceptance of euthanasia. This is not widely seen as an acceptable practice within the medical field. Physicians are taught to heal, not help someone die. These are the perception throughout society. However, this common way of thinking must be altered. Euthanasia needs to be viewed as a form of treatment for some of these disease processes patients face, such as cancer or Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). Patients should be guided toward hospice and palliative care. These organizations promote comfort and a dignified way for patients to advance through the disease process. Euthanasia is another option that could allow patient the dignified death they desire. For example, a patient that is diagnosed with ALS, a terrible and debilitating death awaiting them. Physicians and patients know the end results, and do not want to suffer the symptoms nor let their family witness their suffering. Euthanasia would allow individuals the opportunity to have a dignified death and be remembered by loved ones as they are now. Opposed to the illness taking over and them becoming a person they really are