When you are considering responses to healthcare situations, it is important to be able to quickly identify the underlying ethical and bioethical theories driving a proposed solution. While completing the Ethical Theories Worksheet, consider the core elements of the theory that must be addressed in the solution.
utilize the main ethical and bioethical theories in solutions to a proposed scenario.
Specifically, the following critical elements must be addressed:
Part One: Propose a solution to the following scenario using each of the five ethical theories presented in this module. Explain how your solution aligns with the major ideas within each theory.
Full Answer Section
Part One: Proposing Solutions Using Ethical Theories
Here, we will analyze the scenario through the lens of five ethical theories: Utilitarianism, Deontology, Virtue Ethics, Rights-Based Ethics, and Principlism.
1. Utilitarianism
- Core Idea: Utilitarianism focuses on maximizing overall good or happiness and minimizing harm for the greatest number of people. The best action is the one that produces the greatest net benefit.
- Solution: The solution driven by utilitarianism would be to withdraw aggressive, futile treatment and shift to comfort care (palliative care).
- Alignment with Theory:
- Maximizing Good for the Patient: Prolonging life with no hope of meaningful recovery and continued suffering (being tethered to machines, discomfort from procedures) does not contribute to Mr. Davies' well-being or happiness. Shifting to comfort care minimizes his suffering and allows for a dignified end of life, maximizing his "good" in this context.
- Minimizing Harm for the Family: While the son's immediate desire is for aggressive treatment, prolonging suffering could lead to more prolonged grief and financial burden (from continued ICU stay without benefit) for the family in the long run. A clear, compassionate explanation of futility and a focus on comfort might ultimately lead to less prolonged distress for the family.
- Resource Allocation: From a broader societal perspective, continuing aggressive, futile care in the ICU consumes valuable resources (beds, staff, equipment) that could potentially benefit other patients with a reasonable chance of recovery. While this is a sensitive point, a strict utilitarian view would consider the optimal allocation of finite healthcare resources for the greatest good of the patient population. The current care offers minimal benefit to Mr. Davies while consuming significant resources.
2. Deontology
- Core Idea: Deontology emphasizes moral duties, rules, and obligations. Actions are judged based on whether they adhere to these duties, regardless of the consequences. The focus is on the inherent rightness or wrongness of the act itself.
- Solution: The deontological solution is complex but would likely lean towards respecting Mr. Davies' advance directive as a moral duty, while acknowledging the son's legal authority and duty to his father, leading to a structured ethical consultation and mediation.