Ethical Standards for Organizational Success - Essay Example

During the interview, he gave the following as his guiding principles and beliefs:

1) Character and integrity. All patients that seek treatment from him are treated the same regardless of factors such as gender and disability. This is achieved by providing patients with all the information they require, with regards to the condition they are suffering from, and all the treatment available. The patient determines the way forward. The main aim is therefore not to make a profit but for the well-being of patients. In the case that a condition cannot be diagnosed or treated in the clinic, referral to other specialists is done, for the interest of the patient. All the ethics governing medicine; autonomy, beneficence, justice, and non-maleficence, should apply in his practice.

2) Teamwork. He recognizes that nothing towards the wellness of a patient can be achieved singlehandedly, but requires a team effort between the different hospital staff and departments. This is achieved through reading and consulting widely.

3) Expert in his field of study; there are different specializations under the medical field, and because of the diverseness in the human body structure and the diseases. This requires that one is well informed about the best form of treatment and the latest technology. When a doctor is well informed, it leads to good health for the patient.

4) Doctor-patient confidentiality. In the interest of the patient, no information is to be disclosed except with the consent of the patient.

5) Basic standard of behavior from the patient. Both the doctor and the patient have an obligation, in that professional relationship, and that should be upheld, no matter what.

6) Empathy and compassion. Once a patient comes to see a doctor, they should be given time to explain their problem, regardless of timing and how bizarre the case seems. Some doctors come to conclusions about a particular problem a patient is suffering from, based on assumptions, leading to wrong diagnosis.

7) Informed consent of the patient. No matter what, the patient has the final say in whatever happens to their bodies, whether they are dead or in critical condition. In this case, a patient can decide what happens to their organs when they are dead, or if they get a transfusion, in cases of religion.

Doctors are faced with a lot of moral dilemmas in the course of their practice; this is due to a combination of factors such as diverse religions, technological changes, and basically, the opening up of the profession. Ethical theories have been used since the time of Homer (somewhere between the 6th and 8th century), to the times of philosophers such as Socrates, Aristotle, and Plato, virtues and ethics were advocated for character in different professions. Virtue theory existed in the field of medicine, and we have built on that, to come up with values we consider essential to the medical field (Kant, 1993).

Dr. Andre considers himself to be utilitarian. This theory advocates for doing the action with the greatest good for the majority. This view promotes good or valued ends, rather than valued means (Bentham, 2003).

However, this is usually constrained to the family and patient. This however presents a dilemma, in that in some cases, what seems good for the society is questionable. An example is saving the life of a fetus, which will be born with disabilities. Is it in the good of society to let this happen, so that a lot of expenses and psychological efforts are invested in a life which certainly shall have a short span? People born with disabilities may also be against the idea that their lives were not terminated to save them the pain when they become older. Operations to elongate a child’s life of suffering are a common moral dilemma. In such cases, you ask yourself whether the intervention or non-intervention approach is the way to go (Freeman, 2001). For the good of the family, most doctors have these utilitarian thoughts, but keep them from the family, for the good of all (McDonnell, 2001).

Kantian ethics mandate that good will be the only reason, and this he does through respect for all. This is achieved by providing all the information required to the patient, to have their consent to take a particular action. However, this is not achieved fully because the decision that the family or a patient will reach is determined by the spoken and unspoken actions of the doctor, therefore it has biases, depending on the opinion of the doctor. With improvements in technology, patients go to the internet for opinions on treatment, and this also comes with the writer's point of view (DeVink, 1998). In essence, patients do not make completely autonomous decisions. Doctors have an ethical duty to strive and tell the truth, but truth can be situational as is deemed less harmful.

In conclusion, no one ethical theory can apply to an individual patient. Medical students should be virtuous (Aristotle); be aware of their rights, duties, and obligations to themselves and others, in this case, the patients. In addition, they should be sensitive and caring, and full dedication to their professions. Medical doctors should be tolerant and sensitive to cultural beliefs and backgrounds.