IT Service Management: Ethical Analysis of Robotic Surgery Case Study

This report delves into an ethical dilemma within IT Service Management, specifically focusing on the use of robotic surgery in healthcare. The student analyzes a case where a patient was harmed during robotic surgery, exploring the ethical responsibilities of IT professionals. The report applies four ethical theories: utilitarianism, deontology, social contract theory, and character-based ethics, to evaluate the situation and propose solutions. It examines the ethical implications of technology in healthcare, considering the potential benefits and risks. Furthermore, the report references and analyzes the ACS Code of Ethics to provide a comprehensive ethical framework. The report concludes that robotic surgery is an ethical concept if IT professionals consider all aspects, including the patient's safety, and the technology is used ethically and competently. The report aims to provide insights into ethical decision-making within the context of IT and healthcare technologies.

Running head: IT SERVICE MANAGEMENT
IT Service Management and Professional Culture
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author’s Note:

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Table of Contents
Post 1...............................................................................................................................................2
1.1 Ethical Dilemma....................................................................................................................2
1.2 Utilitarianism Theory.............................................................................................................2
1.3 Deontology Theory................................................................................................................3
1.4 Social Contract Theory..........................................................................................................4
1.5 Character Based Ethics Theory.............................................................................................4
1.6 Discussion and Proposed Solution of the Dilemma from the Viewpoints of the 4 Ethical
Theories.......................................................................................................................................4
Post 2...............................................................................................................................................6
2.1 ACS Code of Ethics for the Ethical Dilemma.......................................................................6
References........................................................................................................................................8

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Post 1
1.1 Ethical Dilemma
Robotic surgery is referred to as one of the most effective and efficient technology of
modern health care sector. One of the patients was almost killed in this particular process, since
during surgery, the remote camera attached to robot arm had damaged the bowel of the person;
hence it led to major infection, cardiac arrest and organ failure. Hence, there is an ethical
dilemma that IT professionals can be referred to as responsible for the accuracy of surgery with
robots.
1.2 Utilitarianism Theory
Utilitarianism theory can be referred to as the part of consequentialist ethical theory,
which eventually promotes different actions for maximization of happiness as well as well being
for the affected persons (Kagan, 2018). In spite of the fact that several varieties of utilitarianism
are admitting various characterizations, the most basic ideology behind these aspects is to
increase the overall utility and is being defined in terms of well being or distinct related
concepts. It is most commonly termed as the theory that provides happiness or utility to the
situation or the person involved in the scenario (Peters, 2015). Utility can be referred to as the
distinct property in different objects, in which it has the tendency of producing benefits,
advantages, pleasure, good or even happiness for the core purpose of preventing the major
happening of subsequent mischief, evil, pain and unhappiness to the party whose interest is
majorly considered on top priority.
In this particular case study of surgery accuracy of robots, it is being analyzed that the
robots or the programmed technologies are providing maximum effectiveness and efficiency to
the respective patients in the surgery (Sidgwick, 2019). The doctors can face major issues while

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doing surgeries. It can cause tremor to the doctor and as a result, the patient can die. However,
with the presence of the robots, it would be extremely effective and easier to complete the
operation as these robots do not comprise of any type of nerve and such issues are completed
eradicated. On the contrary, there is always a chance of failure for technology and there already
had been a similar issue, in which the patient almost died, since the camera created infection
(Tavani, 2016). Hence, in spite of several aspects, robotic surgery could be extremely
problematic for the patients.
1.3 Deontology Theory
Deontology theory or deontology ethics can be referred to as the normative ethical
theory, which mentions about the morality of an action to be based on if the action is correct or
incorrect under a series of rules and not only on the consequences of the specific action (Winch,
2020). As a result, this particular theory also referred to as the duty obligation or rule based
ethical theory. Deontological ethics is being contrasted to consequentialism and virtue ethics and
ensure if the actions are quite vital than the consequences. Hence, the actions should be kept on
priority while analysis of the situation or any particular individual.
The action values are completely dependent on the system of deontological ethics and it
ensures that a moral obligation might arise from the internal or external source and follow the
cultural or personal values, under every circumstance. In this particular case study of surgery
accuracy of robots, the robots are doing or performing the correct actions, since according to
deontology theory, rules should be followed and consequences do not matter. It does not matter
if the consequences are negative when the rules are being followed effectively (Keown, 2016).
These consequences of an act of willing could not be utilized for determination of the fact that

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the individual comprises of a good will and every good consequence like robot surgery can cure
the person properly.
1.4 Social Contract Theory
For the moral and political philosophy, this social contract is the distinct theory, which
refers to the social contract that should be maintained with every person or organization. This
type of social contract is being made between two distinct parties and it should be ensured that
the respective individual or organization is following every ethical rule or approach. In this
particular case study, there is a social contract between the health care sector and technologies or
IT professionals (Strike & Soltis, 2015). It is needed to ensure that this type of social contract is
being maintained under every circumstance; however one of the patient almost died due to robot
surgery; hence the contract was broken.
1.5 Character Based Ethics Theory
It is also referred to as the virtue ethics, in which it is needed to check the character of the
respective individual or organization, whether he or she is following ethical approach in the
work. It refers to the fact that moral or virtue of the individual can carry out a specific action, on
the basis of the ethical rules and duties as well as consequences of those distinct actions (Fraser,
2018). It helps in understanding the respective understanding of the character of the individual
involved. In this case study, the character or virtue of the IT professionals was ethical and they
wanted to remove barriers of the surgery due to doctor’s tremor effectively.
1.6 Discussion and Proposed Solution of the Dilemma from the Viewpoints of the 4 Ethical
Theories
After analysis of the four theories of utilitarianism, deontology, social contract and
character based ethics, it is being observed that the robotic surgery is an ethical concept and the

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IT professionals should deal with such ethical dilemma (Kagan, 2018). Utilitarianism is a distinct
version of consequentialism that states that the consequences of any particular action are the only
major standards for correct and incorrect. The theory of utilitarianism also have disagreed to
several points like actions to be selected on the basis of their likely results or if the agents of the
organization should conform to different rules, which increase utility. According to this
particular theory, the case study is not providing any specific utility to the health care sector and
hence it is unethical. On the contrary, deontology theory states that the situation should be based
on the rule and not on the consequences. Hence, this particular case study is ethical as the IT
professionals are following rules (Strike & Soltis, 2015). As per the social contract theory, a
social contract should be maintained amongst the industry and in this case study, the social
contract was broken as a patient almost died. According to the final theory, the organization
should follow ethical approach and it was followed in the case study. Hence it was ethical in
nature as per character based ethics.

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Post 2
2.1 ACS Code of Ethics for the Ethical Dilemma
A robot is responsible with its precision built mechanical arms has the capability of
performing micro accurate processes over the tissues inside the human body. With the robotic
surgery, the specific surgeon sits with a 3D view of the surgical site. As a result, the computer
system would be able to avoid the tremor of the surgeon’s hand. However, there are several risks
with this particular technology and even the leading experts have the fear of failure of such
surgery. The analysis of ACS code of ethics is provided below:
i)
The Primary of the Public Interest: The respective organization or individual should
put the interests of the public or customer on top priority, above the business or personal
interests. For the professionals of IT, they have considered the interests and issues of the doctors,
patients and the entire health care industry (ACS Code of Ethics. 2020). As a result, the ethical
approach was followed by them since they decided to help the doctors by providing robotic
surgeries and hence reducing chance of failure.
ii)
The Enhancement of Quality of Life: It is needed to ensure that the life quality is
enhanced to a high level and the respective individuals are following each and every aspect and
vital feature of the surgery, for ensuring that these are being executed effectively. Moreover, the
IT professionals wanted to ensure that the complexities are avoided on top priority and all the
probable issues are removed.
iii)
Honesty: It is also needed to ensure that respective individuals are honest in their
works and the IT professionals have maintained honesty in the work. The issue that took place

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with the patient was due to technology failure. There is always a chance that technology can
become a failure.
iv)
Competence: Major competence and diligence was maintained by the IT
professionals in their work and in Britain, millions of operations and surgeries are being operated
by the robots effectively and without any type of failure or complexity (ACS Code of Ethics.
2020).
v)
Professional Development: These IT professionals have ensured that not only them,
but also the other members of the health care sector are maintaining professional development in
their works and hence major effectiveness and ethical approach is being followed under every
circumstance.
vi)
Professionalism: The final code is professionalism, which refers to the fact they
should enhance the integrity of the society and health care sector for ensuring that the surgery is
accurate without any issue.

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References
ACS Code of Ethics. (2020). Accessed from https://www.acs.org.au/content/dam/acs/acs-
documents/Code-of-Ethics.pdf [Accessed on 14 April 2020].
Fraser, N. (2018). Recognition without ethics?. In The culture of toleration in diverse societies.
Manchester University Press.
Kagan, S. (2018). Normative ethics. Routledge.
Keown, D. (2016). The nature of Buddhist ethics. Springer.
Peters, R. S. (2015). Ethics and Education (Routledge Revivals). Routledge.
Sidgwick, H. (2019). The methods of ethics. Good Press.
Strike, K., & Soltis, J. F. (2015). The ethics of teaching. Teachers College Press.
Tavani, H. T. (2016). Ethics and technology. Wiley.
Winch, P. (2020). Ethics and action. Routledge.