Ethical Dilemmas in Health and Social Work

Ethical Dilemmas

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1
1.1 Range of dilemmas faced by health and social workers...................................................1
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................2
2.1 Handling of range of dilemmas by individual care workers and agencies.......................2
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................3
3.1 Ethical justification for conflicting decision from contrasting ethical perspectives........3
Conclusion.......................................................................................................................................4
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................6

INTRODUCTION
Ethical dilemma is nothing but a situation in which nurses got stucked and cannot find
the best one option out of 2 (Sari and et.al., 2018). They have to make a difficult decision
between 2 courses of actions as selection of the one can also hurt someone. This study is going to
show some ethical dilemmas which nurses face while providing care services to their patients. It
will also show some ways by which individual care workers handle situations or ethical
dilemmas.
TASK 1
1.1 Range of dilemmas faced by health and social workers
Here are 3 case studies and examples of nurses in which they find difficulties in making
decision and selecting the best one option. In the case of Azad who is a mental health student,
were asked to take care of with a sectioned patient at his placement. But the problem is Azad’s
continuous presence make the patient feel uncomfortable and if Azad live with the patient than it
would be the breaching the principle of beneficence. On the other hand, if Azad leave the patient
and respect the right of the patient than it would be breach of his duties of care to the patient
(Björk, 2019). So, here one of the ethical dilemmas for Azad is taking responsible decision
making. Beneficence is one of the main ethical principles which help nurses in addressing idea of
their actions should promote well. So, in this case, it is important for Azad to take care of the
patient because it will be good for both. In some cases where nurses think that it would be good
for patient and them to allow them to die. But here the situation of the patient (Alan) is not
severe. But he has threatened to attack himself if Azad makes his continuous presence. So, here
is the ethical dilemma is autonomy in the area of privacy and beneficence (Sussman and
DeJong, 2018).
In the other case of Sabina who is a learning disability student nurse is placed to take care of
a patient, resident (Marry). The patient has a disability as she diagnosed with schizophrenia. It is
also stated that boyfriend of Marry often collect or asked for money to Marry and if she denies
than he hits her. The patient does not want the police to get involved in her case and also say that
her boyfriend does not abuse her. In this case, nurse (Sabina) feeling confused as what to do. If
she respects, her patient’s autonomy than it will increase abusing by her boyfriend and if she take
action against her boyfriend than it will also be breach of the principle of non-malfeasance
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(Lawrie and et.al., 2019). She need to make a choice as whether without taking permission of
Marry, she can take action against her boyfriend and protect her or she will let her boyfriend do
whatever he is doing. So, here the ethical dilemma is autonomy and non-malfeasance. Here the
main principle which needs to be followed by the nurse is to protect the patient in order to
prevent her from hurt and any type of harm (Välimäki and et.al., 2017).
In the other case of Jayme, who is 10 year old patient suffering from cancer for 5 years. In
this case doctors believe that she cannot survive more than 8 weeks for further treatments. But
father of the patient asked 2nd opinion from USA and doctors of USA said that there are 18% life
expectancy or chances of full recovery. Doctors of the UK now facing ethical dilemmas and the
situation in which they have to decide whether it will be ok to support and permit Jaymee’s
father to take her for treatment to the USA or not. In this case Jaymee has definitely a moral right
to get treated but chances of successful treatment is very low,. And if nurses of the UK allow her
father than it would be the breach of the principle of non-maleficence because during this
Jaymee will have to go through a lot of pain. And if they do not allow her father than it would be
breach of their duty of care as well as negligence that Jaymee may die. So, here is the ethical
dilemma is the value of autonomy and the need to prevent distress with the principle of non-
maleficence (Jansen and et.al., 2019).
TASK 2
2.1 Handling of range of dilemmas by individual care workers and agencies
Nurses face several problems or ethical dilemmas where they got confused in selecting the one
options so, it is important for them to inform their superiors and asked for the best one option.
There are several individual care workers and agencies who handle such kinds of ethical
dilemmas. There are mainly 4 NMC code standards such as: professional values, nursing
practices with effective decision-making, interpersonal and communication skills and
collaboration and management. As per the NMC code all nurses are required to focus on
prioritising people, practicing in an efficient manner, preserve safety and promoting trust. In the
case of Azad, it can be said that delegation of task and supervising the patient is the main task in
order to provide safe care to the patient (Alan). It would be a good practice if Azad completes his
duty of providing care and completing his task (Jansen and et.al., 2019). The bad duty or practice
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