Ethical Concepts in Healthcare: A Case Study of Martha Jayasekera

This case study analyzes the ethical considerations surrounding the care of Martha Jayasekera, a 25-year-old woman with cerebral palsy receiving home health care. It addresses ethical concepts like freedom, rights, responsibilities, and the use of power in care, emphasizing strategies to support and respect Martha's dignity. The study highlights the importance of effective communication, interpersonal skills, compassion, and respect in delivering optimal care. It explores how healthcare staff can balance the patient's rights with their own safety and well-being, suggesting solutions like providing safe transportation or adjusting work shifts. The analysis also touches on ethical principles such as the Duty of Candour, Beneficence, and Autonomy, emphasizing the healthcare provider's responsibility to provide services according to the patient's convenience while ensuring the safety and security of their staff. Ultimately, the case study underscores the need for open communication and mutual respect between patients, healthcare providers, and organizations to ensure ethical and effective home health care services.

CASE STUDY

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION ..........................................................................................................................3
MAIN BODY ..................................................................................................................................3
The ethical concepts such as those pertaining to freedom, rights, responsibilities and the use of
power in care which apply to this situation and kind of strategies could the staff employ to
support and respect Martha Jayasekera’s dignity........................................................................3
Effective communication and use their interpersonal skills including compassion, dignity, and
respect to deliver the best care.....................................................................................................6
Staff can maintain effective communication and use their interpersonal skills including
compassion, dignity, and respect to deliver the best care............................................................6
Self learning from this case study................................................................................................8
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................9
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................10

INTRODUCTION
A hospital is a place where the patients are admitted in order to determine their health
problems and to cure the health problems they are suffering. It is the duty of the doctor and
health care nurses to look after the patients admitted and the organisation providing health care
services to take care of the patients at home(Minei, and Kaipu, 2020). There human rights laws
have been made in order to protect the rights of the citizens and similarly the health care
companies have been incorporated to provide services to the patients at home and also in the
hospitals. The case study is on a 25-year-old women name Martha Jayasekera who is suffering
from cerebral palsy. The study covers the ethical concepts associated with the freedom, rights
and responsibilities and the use of power and various strategies staff can employ to respect the
patients' dignity. Along with this different communication and interpersonal skills in order to
deliver the best care and reflection on learning and self- development in understanding dignity
and respect.
MAIN BODY
The ethical concepts such as those pertaining to freedom, rights, responsibilities and the use of
power in care which apply to this situation and kind of strategies could the staff employ to
support and respect Martha Jayasekera’s dignity
Home health care refers to the system of care that is provided by the skilled professional
to the patients in their home under the care of staff. It includes the services. The main purpose
for providing home health care services in order to promote the patients optimal level of well-
being and to help the patient to stay at home without getting admitted in the hospital. that
includes the nursing care and other medical services etc. A hospital is a place where the patients
that are suffering from any disease or illness comes for the treatment of the same and also to find
best care from the nurses and health care service providers(Kast, and et.at, 2021). In the given
study related to the Martha Jayasekera , a 25 year old young women which is suffering from a
disease have certain rights related to the freedom and also has the right to get services form the
health care institution. Respect refers to treating a patient with esteem, concern and with
appreciation. Various laws have been enacted by the government which states various rights of
the person such as treating with care and also to take decision on their own(Vourganas, and et.al,
2019). The health care provider should make their patients feel comfortable, respected as it
helps the patients to recover more quickly.

It is very important for the care taker to take care of their patients thoroughly. It is the
duty of the health care organisation take care of their patients. It is very important to know the
regulation related to the patients under the care of the health care institution. Dignity n care is
defined as the providing the care that supports the self-respect of the person. It also refers to the
everyday dignity to the lives of the patients under the social care as well as the staff members
who are delivering their services . In the given case study it was the right of the patient get the
services at the time which is preferable and the organisation was violating the right by not
following the proper rules(Cuevas, and et.al, 2021). The patients have various rights receiving
the home care services that is first of all the patient should be informed about the rights and
services to be provided regarding the time by the home care agency. The services should be
provided after proper getting information about the illness and disease the patient is suffering.
The right of the patient is get timely services by the home care nurses at the request of the
patient. The patient should be taken care on regular basis and no negligence can be made which
is injurious to the patient. The person getting the home care treatment should be informed before
the starting of the period regarding the tie and procedure and if there is any change should be
informed before its done .There should be continuous monitoring by the senior doctor regarding
the improvement in the condition of patient and also getting feedback regarding the services
which is provided by the health care institution(Lindwall, and Lohne, 2021). On of the major
factors before rendering services to the patient at home is about the policies of the services
charges of the services and which things is to be included in the services that is to be rendered to
the patient. Furthermore, the person taking the home care services can refer to other institution if
proper services are not being given or any issues regarding the person rendering services . The
other thing which should be considered that the person getting health care services is women
than women staff is to be appointed by the institution(Avestan, and et.al, 2019). The person
getting the home care services has the right to have emergency procedures without causing any
delay in the services.
It is duty of the nurses to take care of the patients and treat with care and affection as by
implementing this the person will obey the staff members and cooperate without making any
issues and problems. The staff members should never misuse their power and influence the
patient which also helps in better communication among both. As per the case study , Martha

have all the rights to get the services by the healthcare institution and can raise the issues related
to the delay or inappropriate services given to Martha.
In the given case study the home care organisation was providing the services as given by
Martha that was at 10p.m. But after some days it was discovered that the staff is arriving early
even after making valid complains. The services provider in their response stated that many of
the staff were not willing to go late in that area (Hemberg, and Bergdahl, 2020). After observing
the case study , the staff is bound to render the services as the times and other procedure was
already discussed before rendering the services so the organisation is bound to provide the
services to Martha.
By applying the Human Rights as the ethical principle the given case study it is the right
of Martha to receive the services as agreed by the health care institution and the service
provider is liable to for their responsibility. It is right of the person to get complete care with
respect to their health. The other ethical principle that is been followed is the Duty of Candour
which states that every health care professional should be honest while treating their patients or
any issues arise during the time period. It was the duty of the service's provider to inform about
the difficulty in the time of providing the services to the patient or find alternate ways so that it
can benefit both the parties . According to the Beneficence principle it is moral duty of the
services provider to provide services according to the convenience and by considering the case of
Martha , they should have found various ways to provide the services according the comfort
level of both the parties. The other ethical principles is the principle of Autonomy which states
that a person have the to think , decide and act freely and take decision and as per the case
study , it was the rights of Martha to get the medical treatment and services by the health care
professionals but on the other hand if the nurses was finding difficulty to render their services at
late hours than they should find ways in order to complete their job and provide services to the
patient.
It is the responsibility of the health care services to provide the services to its patients at
home as already decided before. The staff members can adopt various kinds of strategies in order
to support and respect of Martha is that the organization has to fulfil their responsibility and in
order to fulfil it the company can create a a safe and favourable environment for the female staff
which is providing services as many do not prefer working at night and especially where the area
is not safe at night (Ostaszkiewicz, and et.al, 2018). Including in this the organization can

provide cab facility to the female staff so that they don not hesitate going there or can be
accompanied by a male staff so that they feel safe and can deliver their services to the person in
need and cannot fulfil those things by self.
On the other hand the other strategy which can be adopted by the company is render the
services to the patient in different shifts which can help the patient in case of emergency like two
person can be adjusted and proper communication should be made regarding the position of the
patient and also security of the staff member. The health care organisation does not focus on the
safety and security of its patients but also responsibility for the health and safety of their staff
members as they are the one who will deliver the services to the patient. In the given study , the
organisation can make various adjustments which benefit both the patient and staff members by
communicating with both the parties and render the services accordingly. Both the parties ar
right on their own side but it is necessary to balance both the situations so that the patient can
avail the services for which they have paid and the staff members as it is necessary for the
company to make proper communication with the staff members as they are considered valuable
assets of the company.
Effective communication and use their interpersonal skills including compassion, dignity, and
respect to deliver the best care
It is observed that the level of effective communication in the healthcare is directly
related to the impact on the patients health recovery process. It is necessary for the staff member
rendering services to communicate with the patients and their families which helps to build a
good relation between nurse and patients which also helps in knowing the present health
condition of the patient. On the other hand it is also important to regularly communicate with
their co-workers in order to get more information about the services that can be helpful for the
patient(Back, and et.al, 2019) . If the there is effective interaction between the staff member and
patient , the capacity of following the medical recommendation by the staff and also help in
adopting effective preventive health behaviours. It is also important that staff member should
have confidence in their work profile which also affects their performance and can manage the
patients while giving medical home care services.

Staff can maintain effective communication and use their interpersonal skills including
compassion, dignity, and respect to deliver the best care
This is necessary for the staff to maintain effective communication in order to use
interpersonal skill for interact with others by including dignity, respect and compassion so that it
help to deliver bests to patient. In the resent cases study it has been analysed that she need carer
who has good self-confidence so that its helps to provide positive energy to service user. If carer
is confident they will not hesitate while providing treatments of patient its is necessary (Moridi,
Pazandeh and Potrata, 2020). By nature carer should be had passions for helpings other in this
skill Martha get extra attention that help her to divert her mind and also it is necessary to be
supportive, sensitive and understanding. These skills help to dealing with people related to
personal care such as taking bath, toilet and dressing so that it help to promote supportive so that
it can help the patient out from stress. Then it accompanies to doctors and empower them for not
to feel ashamed and embarrassed. For compassion, it is important for necessary degree so that it
help to become truly passionate. Moreover, when the person is naturally passionate it helps to
compassionate towards others so that they can provide rewards ons the basis of knowledge and
satisfaction to make others happy. In additions to this, it has been analysed that it is necessary to
have flexible nature so that works in the off hours and make time table accordingly (Grant and
Goodman, 2018). Then it is necessary to change the environments of the room so that it help to
provide positive energy according to the case study patient want the carer who can change their
shift accordingly. Then carer should more focus on being flexible so that they can suite for every
lifestyle.
Staff should maintain communications skill which help to more engage with the service
user also it is necessary to respects the client so that they can feel easy to share their preference
and its is necessary to listen them carefully and reply after thinking. Sometimes fluent reply
affect the person in order to also specially in case of dementias it is necessary to careful while
communication with the patients (Kwame and Petrucka, 2021). Further, it is important to
develop good knowledge regarding preference of the patient. When the persons are disabled they
get frustrated so it is necessary to pay attention towards their mind and then provide any reaction.
Also, it is important to take care of anxiety, depression and other illness. Further, another
interpersonal skill can maintain on the basis of planning for multiple process. For the home
service it is necessary to organize plan in such a manner where all the aspect are including such

as shopping, foods planning, cooking etc. There is different taste and preference of the client so
it importance to provide them proper time table which help to doing all the work on the basis of
presents time table (Tehranineshat, Torabizadeh and Fararouei, 2020).
For client, it has been analysed that she do not have times to manage so it is necessary to
plan according to paying bill, household chores and posting letters. Also, on of the major thing is
that to manage regular appointment so that its helps for getting time to time treatment. This
dignity will help to keep a cool head and be patient, on the basis of this skill carer should
maintain dignity in order to respect patient by providing them special care and diminished
capabilities. Sometimes it is important to keep care of patient while she is frustrated there are so
many reasons of mood swing so it is important to work on the basis of their mood. Then being a
carer it is necessary to plan some interested activities which help to change their mood and work
accordingly. Then it is necessary to activities which are help provides positives vibes also these
activities are related to gardening its help to change the mood the person on the basis of
maintaining gardening in the outside area it will help to improve balance, stamina and
coordination. Then other activity is related to practising tai chi help for promoting and then it
helps for stroke to the survivors (Hofmeyer and Taylor, 2021). Further, Maratha will like all this
small activities which are help to freshen their mind and it provides positive energy to client. The
change aura of the room are help to provide positive energy and then when she teaches student
it will help to motivate disable people. Also, all the other disable people will like to join the
lecture because the positive aura helps then to motivate. When the situations are typical carer
should handle it with calm and think positive so that clients will feels better. It is very necessary
to build the ability of thinking by own feet so carer should take care alls the details such as what
kind of product are allergic for client and how it can be avoided that types of problem. To trait
then in such a way it provides the ability of dealing with unexpected situation. Further, highs
levels of empathy need to develop good level of empathy because it will help tos deals with
emotional toll. Then to support them mentally and physically helps tos build good relations with.
Also, client is already suffering from not able to do their own work that are related to lie on beds,
to sit on wheel chair. To take care of all the thing before getting late helps for avoiding
confusion, painful process etc. Also, it is necessary to asks then regularly related to their health
and mental illness so that they feel connected there are different ways which helps to change
their mood such as doing puzzles, their pasts experience and stories so that they can relate in the

better manner or build goods relationship with carer. For the residential purposes it is important
to hire this carer who can shift their job at night or day according to need of client. On the basis
of case study it has been analysed that client need the carer at night most, so she should hire that
carer who can work according to her time so that it help to provide proper care (Crump, 2019).
Self learning from this case study
On the basis of present case study it has been analysed that this is helpful for self learning
because it helps to identify my strength and weakness for developing the skill in self directed
learning because on the basis of dignity I learn its is necessary to give respect to client so that
they can feel comfortable while takings actions. Also, I have learned the ethical concept which
are important to understand for the student. Ethical learnings ins nursings is help for develop
moral choice that measure the right of people which involved for chosen solution. Some
important code that I have analysed are respect, justice, autonomy, beneficence etc. Then it can
be related understand the rights of people whether they are disabled or not. I have learned
different interpersonal skills which are in order to provide treatment such as effective
communications that is most important skill for the student to make the relationship better. Also,
I learnt that ready to gain knowledge help for improving the skills such it can be in context of
medication and expand knowledge for identify the problem of patients (Tehranineshat, B.,
Torabizadeh and Fararouei, 2019). It encourages self learning by enhancing professionalism so
that it can measure on the basis of feedback given by client to the carer. Moreover, other skill I
have learnt related to compassion that is necessary term which provide deep knowledge
regarding empathizing others who need that. For the nurse or carer it is important to select all the
detail that are related to patient that beings create positive environment help to change the aura
and it refreshes the need of patient. Present case study also help to understand the importance of
care which is very necessary also it helps to enhance the skill of makings time table according to
the need of patient also this knowledge will help in further life while I would like to provide take
care of someone.
CONCLUSION
It has been concluded that present case study help to develop the knowledge of ethical
consideration that are related to individual who can make the society better. To provide respect
to patient it helps to develop the personality of individual without considerations of equity and
fairness. Also, discussed the uses of effective communication for pertaining the right of freedom

and responsibilities with including interpersonal skills. Further, explained the interpersonal skill
which helps to enhance the knowledge regarding individual and helps to do theoretical
knowledge into practical. Lastly, report provided reflection that contributed for self-learning and
development in order to understand the practise for respect and dignity.

REFERENCES
Books and journals
Avestan, and et.al, 2019. The correlation between respecting the dignity of cancer patients and
the quality of nurse-patient communication. Indian Journal of Palliative Care.25(2).
p.190.
Back, and et.al, 2019. Training clinicians with communication skills needed to match medical
treatments to patient values. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.67(S2).
pp.S435-S441.
Crump, B., 2019. Patient Dignity: Exploring oncology nurses' perceptions during end-of-life
care. Clinical journal of oncology nursing, 23(3).
Cuevas, and et.al, 2021. Dignity therapy for end-of-life care patients: a literature review. Journal
of Patient Experience.8. p.2374373521996951.
Grant, A. and Goodman, B., 2018. Communication and interpersonal skills in nursing. Learning
Matters.
Hemberg, J. and Bergdahl, E., 2020. Ethical sensitivity and perceptiveness in palliative home
care through co-creation. Nursing ethics.27(2). pp.446-460.
Hofmeyer, A. and Taylor, R., 2021. Strategies and resources for nurse leaders to use to lead with
empathy and prudence so they understand and address sources of anxiety among nurses
practising in the era of COVID‐19. Journal of clinical nursing, 30(1-2). pp.298-305.
Kast, and et.at, 2021. Economic evidence with respect to cost-effectiveness of the transitional
care model among geriatric patients discharged from hospital to home: a systematic
review. The European Journal of Health Economics.22(6). pp.961-975.
Kwame, A. and Petrucka, P.M., 2021. A literature-based study of patient-centered care and
communication in nurse-patient interactions: barriers, facilitators, and the way
forward. BMC nursing, 20(1). pp.1-10.
Lindwall, L. and Lohne, V., 2021. Human dignity research in clinical practice–a systematic
literature review. Scandinavian Journal of Caring Sciences.35(4). pp.1038-1049.
Minei, A.P. and Kaipu, S.O., 2020. Respect for Patients’ Right to Autonomy. Journal of Health
Science. 8. pp.100-112.
Moridi, M., Pazandeh, F. and Potrata, B., 2020. Midwives’ perspectives of respectful maternity
care during childbirth: A qualitative study. PloS one, 15(3). p.e0229941.
Ostaszkiewicz, and et.al, 2018. “Dignity”: A central construct in nursing home staff
understandings of quality continence care. Journal of clinical nursing.27(11-12).
pp.2425-2437.
Tehranineshat, B., Torabizadeh, C. and Fararouei, M., 2020. Patient dignity in Iranian clinical
care settings as perceived by physicians, caregivers, and patients. Journal of
multidisciplinary healthcare, 13. p.923.
Tehranineshat, B., Torabizadeh, C. and Fararouei, M., 2019. Compassionate care in healthcare
systems: a systematic review. Journal of the National Medical Association, 111(5). pp.546-
554.

Vourganas, and et.al, 2019. Evaluation of home-based rehabilitation sensing systems with
respect to standardised clinical tests. Sensors.20(1). p.26.