Introduction
An ethical dilemma is a situation whereby an individual faces two opposing options, each with potential benefits and drawbacks. Precisely it is the quest to choose between two or many options. When one option is selected, the selection of the other is impossible. For instance, a manager in a company may be faced with two opposing options: lay off employees to reduce costs or raise the prices of commodities to increase revenue. Both choices affect the firm’s finances, customers, and employees (Setiati & Azwar, 2020). Similarly, the healthcare sector faces such a dilemma that puts the professionals in a contradiction, not knowing what to do at what time. The dilemma of interest in my essay is ‘if it is appropriate to discuss a patient medical information with a parent or guardian.’
There are opposing viewpoints whereby those in favor of discussing medical information with a guardian or parent may have a view that one should share their medical information with parents so that they get the best decisions from them. Moreover, they may also argue that it is in the patient’s interest for the parent to be informed about their medical status so that they can provide necessary support and help (Setiati & Azwar, 2020). On the other hand, those opposing the sharing of information with parents may believe that the patient should have privacy or autonomy regarding their medical state. They may also argue that it could be unimportant to the patient if the parent uses the information to control the patient differently from their interests.
During practice, this dilemma presents many challenges. For instance, healthcare providers must consider the patient’s age, the type of medical information, and how the patient relates to the guardian. These considerations are important before making any decision. Moreover, healthcare professionals must also consider their legal and ethical responsibilities to ensure that the patient’s rights and autonomy are accorded due respect (Setiati & Azwar, 2020). In addition, healthcare providers must also communicate effectively with the patient and their parent or guardian to ensure that everyone understands the medical information in question.
Literature Review
According to Baumbusc et al. (2019), in some cases, a healthcare provider may feel that it is in the patient’s best interest to keep certain medical information confidential. However, in other cases, the provider may believe it is important to share medical information with the parent or guardian to ensure the best care for the patient. Regardless of the situation, healthcare providers must consider the ethical implications of discussing a patient’s right to privacy and the parent or guardian’s right to know about their child’s medical condition. Ultimately, the shared ethical dilemma facing the parents and the healthcare team must be resolved, or the alternative is to seek the court’s intervention.
According to Bieber (2020), parents are typically the primary decision-makers for their children and are responsible for making decisions regarding their children’s health care, including treatments and medications. It is of great essence if parents are guaranteed the capacity to make informed decisions regarding their children’s healthcare information. Such includes understanding the threats and benefits of diverse treatments and the legal implications of offering or withholding consent.
Parents need to have the capacity to understand the medical information they receive from their child’s doctor and to make decisions that are in the best interest of their child. This includes asking questions and discussing the options with the doctor, researching the available treatments, and weighing the benefits and risks. Parents also have to be aware of their legal rights, the right to consent or refuse treatment and be able to make decisions based on their understanding of the law. Parents should also consider their child’s wishes, values, and beliefs when offering medical decisions. Many children can provide input into their medical decisions, and parents should be open to their children’s opinions and consider them when making decisions (Chia & Oyeniran, 2020). For example, if a child prefers a particular type of treatment, the parents should consider that preference in their decision-making. In such a manner, this comes to healthcare professionals as a dilemma.
Proposed interventions
The first proposed intervention is to have a clear policy outlining the circumstances under which medical information can be shared with a parent or guardian. This policy should be carefully considered and developed in consultation with legal counsel, medical and healthcare professionals, and patient advocacy groups (Chia & Oyeniran, 2020). This policy should identify the conditions that must be met for medical information to be shared with a parent or guardian.
Secondly, an intervention to provide healthcare providers with training and support on approaching the situation. This training should focus on building communication skills, understanding the law, developing empathy, and understanding the patient’s perspective. The policy should also guide how to approach the situation in a respectful and non-judgmental manner.
References
Baumbusch, J., Mayer, S., & Sloan‐Yip, I. (2019). Alone in a crowd? Parents of children with rare diseases’ experiences of navigating the healthcare system. Journal of Genetic Counseling, 28(1), 80-90.
Bieber, E. D., Edelsohn, G. A., McGee, M. E., Shekunov, J., Romanowicz, M., Vande Voort, J. L., & McKean, A. J. (2020). The role of parental capacity for medical decision-making in medical ethics and the care of psychiatrically ill youth: a case report. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 11, 559263.
Chia, T., & Oyeniran, O. I. (2020). Human health versus human rights: an emerging ethical dilemma arising from coronavirus disease pandemic. Ethics, Medicine, and Public Health, 14, 100511.
Setiati, S., & Azwar, M. K. (2020). The dilemma of prioritizing health and the economy during the COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia. Acta Medica Indonesiana, 52(3), 196.
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