Nursing Ethics
I hereby bring to your attention my conscientious refusal and express refusal to request. First, together let us come to terms with the issue at hand. Conscientious refusal in healthcare is the refusal intent, or actual refusal of a healthcare action expected, or requested by a client in ordinary healthcare standard. In the case, the patient is legally of age to make her own choices and should be attended to. As a provider, my refusal is founded on personal moral beliefs, or values, and not the identified standard health provisions. The refusal triggers a conflict between personal beliefs and professional healthcare standards. The personal values, for example can be cultural or religious, as in the case study. The values always form individual identity and exemplify an individual’s integrity. They are always tied to some levels of protection against the conflicting professional standards.
In everyday life, sometimes people are forced to exercise their own conviction, whether personal, or religious, irrespective of the standard norms. The refusal to undertake a normal healthcare provision affects various parties, including the patient, the care provider, and sometimes institutions (Bowles, Collingridge, Curry & Valentine, 2006). Sometimes, such refusal cause harm to the patients. In the case, refusal to administer the drugs to Ms. R, might subject her to other behavioral challenges. I understand my refusal can attract negative consequences of conscientious refusal in reproductive healthcare, resulting into dilemma on the professional autonomy in decision-making, I still believe in the accepted conscientious objection parameters.
- Explain the conditions/criteria associated with ethically acceptable conscientious objection as recommended by the AAP Committee on Bioethics;
The following are the criteria, which must be met for conscientious objection to be accepted.
- When providing a particular healthcare would seriously negatively impair the provider’s moral integrity through violation of a deeply held conviction.
- Conscientious objection becomes valid when the objection is supported by strong rationale or pegged on religious backgrounds.
- When the treatment does not essentially form part of the health provider’s work The (American Academy of Pediatrics, 2009).
The objection becomes accepted when the burden to the patient is small in regards to healthcare evaluations. Among the consideration during the evaluation is whether the condition presented by the client is life threatening, the professional refusal does not deny the patient a chance to encounter medical help, there are alternative measured to alleviate the burden of the condition, and when there is limited burden to healthcare intuitions and people related to the patient. The conscientious objection is further strengthened when the objection is based on the nursing values, and when the medical need is uncertain or new in moral determination (The American Academy of Pediatrics, 2009).
- Explain how your request satisfies those conditions/criteria;
My decisions are grounded on my religious values, and far my profession is concerned, I always try to follow my values. With the case of patient R., beyond any moral reasoning, I find hard to help the patient. Let us understand that my religion cannot allow me to prescribe any form of sexually related contraceptives, or any form of protection. However, I have tried to meet my professional obligation by taking care of the married in this manner. In the case of patient R., this does not apply. The patient is not married, which forms the basis of my moral judgment.
This action is a gross violation of my moral values and religious beliefs. It will be hard to live with it. The case of Miss R. does not fall within essential care intervention needs. The patient has the recommended, the use of condoms. I strongly believe that my refusal will impair the patient condition since she has alternative care methods, and a chance to seek counselling from any other physician. There is no urgency or health burden in the patient case owing to a number of alternatives she has. I therefore believe my actions will not jeopardize the patient’s condition in any way.
- Explain the ethical obligations you have to unmarried patients seeking counsel and prescriptions related to sexual intercourse and birth control, as discussed in our reading of Yeo et al. so far this semester
Within professional circles, there is an impelling need for one to adopt an ethical stand to foster good relations between the professional and their client. Before one could even engage a client, they ought to be suitably trained in the relevant field or vocation. By dint of this requirement, a professional requires extensive training to be able to discharge their professional undertakings competently (Australian Association of Social Workers, 2010). This requirement resonates with Bayle’s characterization of a professional. The requirement to have a professional extensively trained stems from the nature of relationship crafted out of the professional and their client. In most cases, our personal beliefs, profession provisions, and moral grounds guide us.
As a healthcare provider, I am obliged to the practice of beneficence. I uphold this virtue in my entire encounter with patients. I hold the principle to the extent of refusal to administer drugs to patients, whenever I believe it lacks medical help to them. My profession is aligned by my moral religious values and the healthcare professional standards and ethics. Effective healthcare dispensation cannot be achieved without integrity (Bowles, Collingridge, Curry & Valentine, 2006). The principle allows us to work within the healthcare provisions, moral control, and ensure maximum benefit to the patients. The principle of integrity allows us not be swayed with unnecessary medical concerns. As such, providers are able to delivered quality care morally and rationally. My integrity has allowed me to have hard stances based on my rational and moral judgment of what I believe will not bring beneficence to my patient, Miss R.
My decision is supported by my provider’s autonomy. To ensure flexibility and ease of work, professionals are allowed to work independently. Professional autonomy allows the us to exercise independent thought and judgment in the discharge of their duties. In medical circles, however, a team of professionals is desirable where combined effort is required or in instances where a second opinion is desirable (Bowles, Collingridge, Curry & Valentine, 2006). Ethically, I have autonomous consent, which allows me to express my concerns. I am guided by honesty and truthfulness when defining my patient’s case. I am morally guided and supported by conscientious objection and will not render Miss R.’s healthcare needs.
- Explain how your refusal to provide these services for such patients does not violate those obligations (or, if you prefer, how your right to conscientious objection outweighs the violation of those obligations)
I believe I do not violate any professional ethical principles. I work hard for the benefit of all my patients. In the case of Miss R., I honestly believe the medication is unnecessary and immoral. She is unmarried and has various alternatives to her medication. I apply my integrity to strike a balance between the patient’s needs, professional demands, and my moral status. While I should attend to the client, it is against my religious beliefs and moral grounds to administer the pills. I have expressed truthfulness and integrity in defending my case.
References
Australian Association of Social Workers. (2010). CODE OF ETHICS. Web. June 18 2015. <http://www.aasw.asn.au/practitioner-resources/code-of->
Bowles, W., Collingridge, M., Curry, S., & Valentine, B. (2006). Ethical practice in social work– an applied approach. Crows Nest Australia: Allen & Unwin
The American Academy of Pediatrics. (2009). Physician Refusal to Provide Information or Treatment on the Basis of Claims of Conscience. Pediatrics 2009;124;1689. DOI: 10.1542/peds.2009-2222