Ethical Dilemmas in Healthcare: A Seven-Step Decision Model

This presentation outlines the application of the seven-step decision-making model to a complex healthcare case involving a child with Down syndrome, duodenal atresia, hearing problems, and a cardiac issue, whose parents have withheld consent for surgery. The presentation emphasizes the importance of ethical considerations in decision-making, defining ethics as personal standards of right and wrong. Each step of the model is detailed, including determining the facts, identifying the ethical issue, specifying alternatives, comparing values and alternatives, assessing consequences, and making a final decision. The ultimate goal is to assist the parents in making an informed and ethically sound decision regarding their child's medical care. Desklib provides a platform for students to access this and other solved assignments.

Critical decision making with seven steps- decision
making model
PRESENTED BY-

Ethical decision making:
 The ethics are the personal standards of
right and wrong which are utilized or
considered while making decision (Ni &
Van Wart, 2015).
 Ethics are the base, on basis of which
ethically sensitive decisions are made
(Kligyte et al. 2013).

The case study:
 The presentation is based on the case study where a child
is suffering from Down syndrome along with duodenal
atresia, hearing problems and cardiac issue. The child’s
parents requested the nursery administer to not give any
food or fluid to the baby. They have withheld their consent
for surgery. As the hospital administrator, the presentation
is aimed at helping the parents make a decision for their
child with seven step decision making.

 The seven step decision making model is a tool that is used for problem solving by making decisions
based on following an established approach. the seven step decision making model helps in figuring
out the best possible solution that can be obtained when compared to other alternatives (Oztaysi,
2014).

Seven step decision making model, for
young child needing surgery.
 Step 1: Determine the facts
The problem must be clearly comprehended.
Here, the parents have withheld the consent for the
surgery for the child who appears to be mentally
challenged along with several other issues.
 Step 2: Determine the ethical issue
It is important to understand the ethical aspect
of the situation.

 Step 3: Identify the major principles, rules and values
 The major principles, rules and values are significant to
consider and understand if it is regarding individual rights
or an issue of morality.
 Step 4: Specify alternatives
 The decisions need to be made considering the
alternatives.

 Step 5: Compare values and alternatives
The comparison need to be made between the
values and the alternative.
 Step 6: Assess the consequences
The consequences are important to consider
for it is important to realize the input that is
needed to face the consequence.

 Step 7: Make a decisions
The final decision is made when the above
aspects are given thoughtful consideration
and time. The final decision is the main goal
of the entire process which is reached with
reasons and adequate analysis.

References:
Kligyte, V., Connelly, S., Thiel, C., & Devenport, L. (2013). The
influence of anger, fear, and emotion regulation on ethical
decision making. Human Performance, 26(4), 297-326.
Ni, A., & Van Wart, M. (2015). Corporate Social Responsibility: Doing
Well and Doing Good. In Building Business-Government
Relations (pp. 175-196). Routledge.
Oztaysi, B. (2014). A decision model for information technology
selection using AHP integrated TOPSIS-Grey: The case of content
management systems. Knowledge-Based Systems, 70, 44-54.