Choose a common ethical dilemma in the field of palliative care. Discuss the following in your paper: making any commitments for care. The patients wishes are of upmost importance first and foremost.
1. What information is important for you as the social worker on the Palliative Care Team to obtain and present to the Ethics Committee in order to help resolve the ethical dilemma?
2. What, if any, laws or regulations exist related to this specific ethical dilemma?
3. Discuss the arguments put forth on both sides of the ethical dilemma and use the literature to support each position.
4. Which cultural groups have the most difficulty with the ethical issue? Why?
Assignment to be done based on this Ethical dilemma:
Patient’s wishes are unknown but his daughter is the healthcare agent. She is requesting the medical team to intubate and vent the patient to keep pt alive as long as possible (let’s say patient has advanced dementia and respiratory failure as a result of antibiotic resistant aspiration pneumonia ). Daughter is utilizing her right to substituted judgment and autonomy via surrogacy. The doctors are stating their preference to not pursue such interventions, which they believe will be harmful to the patient with very little likelihood of benefit (tells daughter pt will die on the vent). Doctor points to his ethical duty to nonmaleficence.
Assignment needs to be completed based on the ethical principles of palliative care specifically. Make an argument for each side and present literature to support these views. Make sure to highlight what palliative care ethical principles apply to the dilemma.
