ethical dilemas 3.4

8/3/2019 Ethical Dilemas 3.4

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Ethical DilemmasEthical Dilemmas


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Ethical dilemma and moralEthical dilemma and moral

dilemmasdilemmas Ethical dilemma:Ethical dilemma: a person does nota person does not

know how to act appropriately in aknow how to act appropriately in a

specific situationspecific situation

Moral dilemma:Moral dilemma: The person knows howThe person knows how

what the correct action is but does notwhat the correct action is but does notwant to act accordinglywant to act accordingly


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Definition of ethicalDefinition of ethical

dilemmasdilemmas An ethical dilemma occurs when aAn ethical dilemma occurs when a

situation has no clear answersituation has no clear answer

Having to make a choice between twoHaving to make a choice between two

equally desirable or undesirableequally desirable or undesirable

alternativesalternatives

Complex problems that cannot be solvedComplex problems that cannot be solvedby the usual way of solving problemsby the usual way of solving problems


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Definition of ethicalDefinition of ethical

dilemmasdilemmas Affects not only the immediate situationAffects not only the immediate situation

but also has far reaching implicationsbut also has far reaching implications

A persons beliefs and values regardingA persons beliefs and values regarding

his/her duty, rights and aims in life playshis/her duty, rights and aims in life plays

an important role in making ethicalan important role in making ethical

decisionsdecisions


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Ethical DilemmasEthical Dilemmas

Ethical dilemmas include:Ethical dilemmas include:

Industrial action by nursesIndustrial action by nurses

Termination of pregnancyTermination of pregnancy

HIV/AIDSHIV/AIDS Nursing care of patientsNursing care of patients

suffering form HIV/AIDSsuffering form HIV/AIDS

EuthanasiaEuthanasia


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Ethical dilemmasEthical dilemmas

Patient advocacyPatient advocacy

Living willLiving will

Fertility treatmentsFertility treatments

Human geneticsHuman genetics

Contraception and sterilizationContraception and sterilization

Premature babiesPremature babies

Organ transplantsOrgan transplants


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Ethical Issues in End ofEthical Issues in End of

Life CareLife Care Truth tellingTruth telling

ConsentConsent

Substitute decisionSubstitute decision--makingmaking

Advance care planningAdvance care planning

EuthanasiaEuthanasia

Assisted suicideAssisted suicide

Appropriate use of lifeAppropriate use of life--sustainingsustaining

treatmenttreatment


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MORAL DILEMMASMORAL DILEMMAS

IN NURSING PRACTICEIN NURSING PRACTICE Economical ethical issuesEconomical ethical issues

Strike actionStrike action

ResearchResearch


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ECONOMICALECONOMICAL--ETHICAL ISSUESETHICAL ISSUES

Health for all by the year 2010 has beenHealth for all by the year 2010 has been

apposed by the World Health Organizationapposed by the World Health Organization

(WHO) ANDTHE Western world endorses(WHO) ANDTHE Western world endorses

this humanitarian philosophy.this humanitarian philosophy.

RealityReality is this possible in the currentis this possible in the current

economical, political and social climate.economical, political and social climate.


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ECONOMICALECONOMICAL--ETHICAL ISSUESETHICAL ISSUES

Most important economicMost important economic--ethical issuesethical issues

lie in thelie in the

1.1. Distribution of scare medical resourcesDistribution of scare medical resources

2.2. Access to health services for all citizensAccess to health services for all citizens

3.3. Continually rising costs of medicalContinually rising costs of medical

servicesservices


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RESEARCHRESEARCH

Any research must be pursued in an ethicallyAny research must be pursued in an ethically

reflective mannerreflective manner Research calls for scientific objectivity andResearch calls for scientific objectivity and

detachmentdetachment creating the potential for a dividedcreating the potential for a dividedloyalty between obligation towards science onloyalty between obligation towards science on

the one hand and humanity on the other hand.the one hand and humanity on the other hand. Reconciling these two conflicting loyalties isReconciling these two conflicting loyalties is

often extremely difficult.often extremely difficult.

The nurse can be asked to act as the researchThe nurse can be asked to act as the research

field workerfield worker assist in the gathering of data.assist in the gathering of data. In the abovementioned caseIn the abovementioned case-- the principalthe principal

researcher is responsible for the accountabilityresearcher is responsible for the accountabilityof the research.of the research.


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ResearchResearch

Reaserch may include an element of dangerReaserch may include an element of danger

and may cause anxiety and discomfortand may cause anxiety and discomfort

Researchers have a moral and professionalResearchers have a moral and professionalresponsibility to search for more information asresponsibility to search for more information as

to improve the practiceto improve the practice

Everyone should have the right to decideEveryone should have the right to decide

voluntarily to participate in the research or notvoluntarily to participate in the research or not

Right to withdraw from the study at any timeRight to withdraw from the study at any time


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ResearchResearch

Complete information should be giveComplete information should be give

regarding research including the purposeregarding research including the purpose

of the researchof the research

Research should take steps to minimiseResearch should take steps to minimise

harm or discomfortharm or discomfort

Right to privacy, confidentiality andRight to privacy, confidentiality andjusticejustice


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STRIKE ACTIONSTRIKE ACTION Section 23(2) of the Constitution ofSASection 23(2) of the Constitution ofSA

determines that everyone has the right to strike.determines that everyone has the right to strike.

The LRA (section 213) entrenches this rightThe LRA (section 213) entrenches this rightprovided that correct procedures have beenprovided that correct procedures have beenfollowed and the employees are not employed infollowed and the employees are not employed inessential services.essential services.

Essential services personnel can take part inEssential services personnel can take part instrike actions only where a minimum servicestrike actions only where a minimum serviceagreement is in place.agreement is in place.

Nurses in the public sector are denied the rightNurses in the public sector are denied the rightto strike and yet their employment issues to beto strike and yet their employment issues to beignored at the bargaining table, and, therefore,ignored at the bargaining table, and, therefore,there is a degree of frustration and low moralthere is a degree of frustration and low moralamongst nurses that has led to many of themamongst nurses that has led to many of them

leaving the country.leaving the country.


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STRIKE ACTION ( 93)STRIKE ACTION ( 93)

Traditional nurses have never resorted to strikes toTraditional nurses have never resorted to strikes toresolve disputes.resolve disputes.

Withholding nursing services is in direct conflict withWithholding nursing services is in direct conflict with

the very core and ethics of nursing.the very core and ethics of nursing.

In the past strikes were criminal offences in SA inIn the past strikes were criminal offences in SA interms of the Nursing Act.terms of the Nursing Act.

The idealism and dedication of nurses exposes themThe idealism and dedication of nurses exposes them

to blackmail in negotiations on salaries.to blackmail in negotiations on salaries.

The nonThe non--striking stance of nurses makes themstriking stance of nurses makes them

vulnerable to exploitation by their employers.vulnerable to exploitation by their employers.

ethical dilemas 3.4

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