Defining Ethical Dilemmas
Ethical dilemmas in medicine arise when values clash. A classic example is the choice between patient autonomy and professional beneficence when a treatment exists, but the patient refuses it.
Patient Autonomy Challenge
Respecting patient autonomy means honoring their treatment decisions. Surprisingly, historically doctors made choices for patients, a paternalistic approach that modern medicine increasingly abandons for shared decision-making.
Resource Allocation
Equitable resource allocation often presents dilemmas. During pandemics, who should receive limited life-saving treatments? Triage protocols can evoke ethical debates, as they prioritize care based on survival probability and societal roles.
End-of-Life Decisions
End-of-life care choices, such as withdrawing life support, can conflict with a practitioner's personal beliefs. Interestingly, different cultures and countries have varying legal and ethical frameworks for these sensitive decisions.
Genetic Testing Conundrums
Genetic testing raises ethical issues around privacy and discrimination. An unexpected finding is that knowledge of one's genetic information can lead to stigmatization or 'genetic determinism', affecting life choices and insurance coverage.
AI in Medicine Ethics
Artificial intelligence in healthcare promises improved diagnostics but also brings ethical concerns, such as biased algorithms. Surprising to some, AI's 'black box' nature can obscure the rationale behind medical recommendations, challenging transparency.
Research Ethics Evolution
The evolution of research ethics highlights surprising historical lapses. The infamous Tuskegee syphilis study, which withheld treatment from African-American men, led to stricter regulations and the establishment of Institutional Review Boards.
What underlies medical ethical dilemmas?
Financial considerations primarily
Conflicting values and principles
Government healthcare policies
Company
