Ethical Considerations in Healthcare: Service Learning Leadership

This essay delves into an ethical dilemma faced by a doctor regarding a patient's HIV status and the decision to disclose this information to the patient's partner. The student explores the conflict between patient confidentiality and the potential harm to others, weighing the benefits of informing the partner against the patient's right to privacy. The essay references established principles of clinical practice and legal requirements, arguing that in this specific scenario, the benefits of informing the partner outweigh the harm, particularly in the context of combating the spread of HIV. The student considers the principle of utility, the importance of the legal framework, and the doctor's moral duty to make decisions that serve the interest of the parties involved and promote the welfare of society, ultimately concluding that disclosure is justified and recommending counseling for both individuals. The essay utilizes various academic sources to support its arguments.

Running head: LEADERSHIP FOR INTERNATIONAL SERVICE LEARNING
Leadership for International Service Learning
Student’s Name
Institution

LEADERSHIP FOR INTERNATIONAL SERVICE LEARNING 1
Leadership for International Service Learning
Doctors encounter cases that place them in moral dilemma. However, with the
established principles of clinical practice, one can make an informed decision that can help solve
moral dilemma (Noorozi,Sadat, & Salari, 2018). I will override the patient’s rights and inform
his partner about the HIV status of her partner. This is based on the role we are playing in
combating the spread of HIV. I understand that as a doctor, I owe my patient a duty of respecting
their confidentiality. However, I am also entitled to respect the right to promote awareness about
dangers associated with HIV.
Patient’s confidentiality is not an absolute right. According to Blightman, Griffiths, and
Danbury (2014), the doctor has to take into consideration the benefit of society and the benefit of
the patient. In the given case scenario, the benefit of society is at stake as the young man is likely
to infect many people, which will affect our work in combating the spread of HIV. Muriel (2017)
further explains that the doctor can override the patient’s rights if the benefits outweigh the harm.
Informing the man’s partner who is already eighteen years will benefit her. The two can then sit
together and arrange how they are going with the infection.
Even though the young man claims that his HIV status is his private information,
sometimes the information is not private once it has reached the second party. When handling the
case of private information, the exist conflicts between trust and values of the profession
(Bogaert, 2014). In this case, it is expected that my duty as a doctor is to make sure that I do not
do anything without the patient’s consent. One way is to be held accountable with the patient’s
information. However, Tamim (2015) explains that the duty of the doctor is not all about
preserving the private information, but also to safeguard the sanctity of life. The woman’s health
is at stake in this scenario. The principle of utility requires that one makes a decision that benefits

LEADERSHIP FOR INTERNATIONAL SERVICE LEARNING 2
the maximum number of people. Comparing the people that will be affected with the amount of
harm that is likely to occur, the best alternative is to disclose the HIV status of the man.
Doctors have to adhere to the codes of clinical practice, but they should also adhere to
legal requirements. According to Nyandat (2016), doctors have a moral right to make decisions
that are in public interest. This occurs when the patient refuses to cooperate (Samuels, 2015). In
the given case scenario, the partner has a right to know about their HIV status and that is why
they have come for testing. They need the information that will promote the welfare of society.
According to Sherlyn (2017), the disclosure has to be in legal framework. The policy requires
that the doctor makes a decision that serves the interest of parties. Since the disclosure will
benefit the parties, I will tell the partner and ask both of them to attend counseling services.

LEADERSHIP FOR INTERNATIONAL SERVICE LEARNING 3
References
Blightman, K., Griffiths, S., E., & Danbury, C. (2014). Patient confidentiality: when can a breach
be justified? Continuing Education in Anesthesia Critical Care & Pain, 14 (2), 52–56.
Retrieved from https://academic.oup.com/bjaed/article/14/2/52/271401
Bogaert, K. (2014). Ethics in health care: confidentiality and information technologies. Mediline,
56 (4). Retrieved from
https://www.ajol.info/index.php/safp/article/viewFile/102714/92981
Muriel, K. (2017). Confidentiality: good practice in handling patient information. Journal of
Clinical Practice, 5 (4). Retrieved from
https://www.gmc-uk.org/-/media/documents/Confidentiality_good_practice_in_handling
_patient_information___English_0417.pdf_70080105.pdf
Noorozi, M., Sadat, F., B., & Salari, B. (2018). Challenges of confidentiality in clinical settings:
compilation of an ethical guideline. Iranian Journal of Public Health, 47(6), 875-883.
Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6077627/
Nyandat, J. (2016). Can a doctor legally disclose a patient’s HIV status without their consent?
MIMNs Today. Retrieved from https://today.mims.com/can-a-doctor-legally-disclose-a-
patient-s-hiv-status-without-their-consent-
Samuels, A. (2015). The doctor’s duty of confidentiality. Medico-Legal Journal, 83(4) 167–171.
Retrieved from https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/0025817215608982
Sherlyn, V. (2017). HIV disclosure policies and procedures. HIV.gov. Retrieved from
https://www.hiv.gov/hiv-basics/living-well-with-hiv/your-legal-rights/limits-on-
confidentiality

LEADERSHIP FOR INTERNATIONAL SERVICE LEARNING 4
Tamim, J. (2015). The doctor-patient relationship, confidentiality and consent in occupational
medicine. Ethics and Ethical Guidance. Retrieved from
https://www.research.manchester.ac.uk/portal/files/54581682/FULL_TEXT.PDF