Discussion Post: Conflict of Responsibility
Suppose you are the healthcare manager in a hospital oncology (cancer) unit. Every day, you see patients and families suffer a great deal because of cancer. One day, you learn that one of the oncologists is seeing a larger number of patients go into remission. Upon further investigation, you learn that he is using medication and treatment methods not yet approved by the American Medical Association. You find out that other countries are using the treatment effectively, but most in the medical community are skeptical because it is a non-traditional approach to treating cancer.
You and the physician are the only ones who understand the medical and legal implications: that the patient will die if he stops, but the hospital could be sued for malpractice if you continue to offer him this treatment. The doctor accepts the risk and promises not to tell anyone if you do not. He goes on to say he will stop once he is finished treating a current patient who will surely die if he stops treatment.
Task
o What would you do in this scenario? Why? What underlying beliefs or codes of ethics guide your behavior?
o Does the ACHE's Code of Ethics provide adequate guidance in this situation? Why or why not? Refer to specific quotes from the ACHE Code of Ethics that apply here.
o Do you believe that the ACHE Code of Ethics provides adequate guidance overall in such situations? Refer to your notes from Learning Activity 1.
The response should include a reference list. Using double-space, Times New Roman 12 pnt font, one-inch margins, and APA style of writing and citations.