A Case Study Depicting the Importance of Ethics in Medicine Essay examp

To protect the individual’s right and confidentiality, the client involved would be referred to as ‘Marge’. Introduction ‘Work for health requires moral commitment’ (Seedhouse, 2009 p. xiviii). Therefore, the obligation rests on healthcare professionals faced with ethical dilemma in their practice to make moral decision which should promote and enhance health ( Rumbold, 1999; Sim, 1997). Ethics is concerned with the basis on which an action is determined as either right or wrong (Rumbold, 1999; MacIntyre, 2005). Therefore, ethics is the study of morality which is also known as moral philosophy (Sim, 1997; Thompson et al, 2006). When one moral principle conflicts with another, it is referred to as a moral or ethical dilemma (Sim, 1997). Hence, ethics provides a framework for addressing dilemmas (Rumbold, 1999). Thus, Thompson et al (2006), highlights that clients are presented as consumers rather than recipients of care. As a result, there seems to have been changes and challenges in health and social care in recent years (Thompson et al, 2006). More than ever before healthcare professionals have to act in the best interest of clients irrespective of their cultural backgrounds, values or religion (Thompson et al, 2006). This essay highlights the Hippocratic Oath as it is translated into principles which inform the modern code of ethics (Preston, 2009). Furthermore, these principles may not be enough in undertaking moral reasoning. Therefore professionals may have to employ some of the ethical theories which include theory of justice, teleology and deontology in deciding the best possible action for Marge in the case study. Marge has been diagnosed with bipolar affective disorder, and the multidisciplinary ... ...s (RMO), Nurses, Occupational Therapists, Social Worker and Psychologist were alerted at the deterioration in Marge’s mental health in the hospital. Marge’s mood has now altered to a manic state. She was constantly laughing and doing Irish dance in the ward. She had also been abusing alcohol and acting in a very flirtatious manner. This behaviour was completely out of character for Marge who is a devout Christian with a reserved persona. Marge also neglected herself- not eating or washing. In the past when depressed, she has made suicide attempts and did not allowed health professionals into her high rise flat. During her last manic episode, she gave away large sums of money. Her judgement was impaired and did not comply with prescribed medication. Marge wants discharged but has no insight into her current manic episodes. So also, her children wanted her home