Ethical Principles in Healthcare Assignment

Running head: ETHICAL ISSUES AND PRINCIPLES IN HEALTHCARE
Ethical issues and principles in healthcare
Name of the student
Name of the University
Author note

1ETHICAL ISSUES AND PRINCIPLES IN HEALTHCARE
Table of Contents
Introduction:...............................................................................................................................2
Discussion:.................................................................................................................................2
Identification of ethical issues:...............................................................................................2
Deontological approach:....................................................................................................3
Utilitarian approach:...........................................................................................................3
Analysis of ethical issues and conflict:..................................................................................4
Discussion of professional codes:..........................................................................................5
Discussion of human rights:...................................................................................................6
Discussion of ethical principles:............................................................................................6
Non-maleficence:...............................................................................................................6
Neglect:..............................................................................................................................7
Beneficence:.......................................................................................................................7
Autonomy:..........................................................................................................................7
Proposals for professional practice:.......................................................................................8
Conclusion:................................................................................................................................8

2ETHICAL ISSUES AND PRINCIPLES IN HEALTHCARE
Introduction:
Every patient of every nationality, cast, and creed is entitled to receive the best
possible care from all healthcare professionals the patients come across. One can count the
term ‘ethics’ as one of the most important branches of healthcare as it deals with the moral
conundrums, which generally arises due to the conflict of the healthcare professionals over
the arising consequences.
If the ethical issues in medicine were reviewed, one would find two relevant terms,
namely ‘Deontology’ and ‘Utilitarianism’, as the competing ethical system. Deontology can
be regarded as the probable ethical duty, which one person should do in a particular situation.
Utilitarianism can be described as the ethical act of a person, done for the greater good of the
society. This approach is regarded as the social approach, then an individualistic approach.
Every healthcare professional should maintain the balance of both of the ethical approaches
while dealing with the consequences.
This article discusses and analyses these ethical conflicts of the provided case study in
the light of the ethical theories. The article also analyses the chosen case study in the light of
the relevant professional code of ethics. The article also discusses the possible proposals and
intervention of professional practice regarding the chosen case study.
Discussion:
Identification of ethical issues:
The chosen case study states two of the ethical dilemmas faced by an experienced
physiotherapist named Henry, who has been working in this field for 8 years.

3ETHICAL ISSUES AND PRINCIPLES IN HEALTHCARE
Deontological approach:
The first incident includes one of his patients named Jim (73) who is recovering from
knee replacement surgeries. The patient has been adamant about not continuing with his
exercising routines and was unable to show any improvement for 3 months. Henry took a
decision of discontinuing the treatment of the patient after referring him to the massage
therapist (Blumenthal-Barby, & Burroughs, 2012). His practice manager Shelly has pointed
out that his approach may be good for that particular patient, but the overall consequence
would not be good as it sends a negative message towards the society. This incident clearly
shows the deontological approach Henry took in this particular situation. The deontological
approach may be good for any particular individual, but it may not change the society for
good.
Utilitarian approach:
Henry has faced another situation as he made a complaint against an alcoholic
surgeon he is working with. The practice manager promised him to have a word with the
surgeon about the whole incident. However, the surgeon has been continuing his work in the
same condition (Elwyn et al, 2014). Henry chose to complain against the surgeon as he
thought about the benefit of the patients. Henry’s approach towards the situation is utilitarian
as he thought about the possible consequence of the situation and lodged a complaint to the
practice manager for the greater good.
The practice manager is clearly concerned for the name of the facilitation center
rather than the well-being of the patients (Furler, & Palmer, 2010). The primary concern of
every healthcare facility should be the wellbeing of the patients. The practice manager is not