Ethical Dilemma for Confidentiality and Security -myassignmenthelp

Question: Discuss about theEthical Dilemma for Confidentiality and Security. Answer: Ethics are moral principles or systematic concepts governing right or wrong conduct. These principles govern how a person behaves when conducting certain activities. The definition of ethics is wide depending on the particular field of interest, it could also mean moral codes or moral values, thus, distinguishing between good and evil, virtuous and non-virtuous. In a hospital context, ethical problems always arise making it difficult to distinguish if a decision is ethically right or not which most of the time is informed by someones religious and social cultural background (Klvemark et al., 2004). In this paper, we will be focusing on the dilemma that medical practitioners face when providing information to carers bearing in mind the patient/client confidentiality concerns and ethical implications. There are three concepts that have been used interchangeably in the medical fraternity, these are, confidentiality, ethics and security. Although, they all have different meanings entirely but they are linked together with the same goal. Confidentiality is the most commonly used concept and it refers to the obligations that medical practitioners who access patients records to hold this information in confidence. This obligation is supported by the code of ethics, principle I, which stipulates that individual right to privacy and confidentiality must be upheld and defended at all times. The dilemma that medical practitioners face when they feel that they ought to inform other affected parties about their patients medical records are dire both to the practitioner and the hospital. Even though it might feel like its the ethical thing to do, other factors have to be considered before breaking the patient/client confidentiality obligation (Seitz O'neill, 1996). Whether an issue is right or wrong, medical practitioners must always endeavor to honor the confidential relationship they have with their patients. Ethical dilemmas arises when an individuals moral principles overrides patients right to privacy and the patient/client confidentiality. Information in medical records is considered to be highly sensitive and private, thus, it should never be disclosed unless the patient consents (Smythe Murray, 2000). Several circumstances however, will allow the doctor to share personal medical records without express permission from the patient. This could only occur if the patients is in need of help, if the government requires the information and also, if the patient makes his/her health an issue in court (Lo, 2012). In conclusion, extensive ethical education is a good starting point to avoid ethical dilemma cases in hospitals. It is also imperative to sanction unethical behaviors in hospitals so as to reduce ethical dilemmas. Although it is a contentious issue, with a good ethical education background and strict adherence to ethical requirements in hospitals it will cease to be a problem to many medical practitioners. References Klvemark, S., Hglund, A. T., Hansson, M. G., Westerholm, P., Arnetz, B. (2004). Living with conflicts-ethical dilemmas and moral distress in the health care system.Social science medicine,58(6), 1075-1084. Lo, B. (2012).Resolving ethical dilemmas: a guide for clinicians. Lippincott Williams Wilkins. Seitz, J., O'neill, P. (1996). Ethical decision-making and the code of ethics of the Canadian Psychological Association.Canadian Psychology/Psychologie canadienne,37(1), 23. Smythe, W. E., Murray, M. J. (2000). Owning the story: Ethical considerations in narrative research.Ethics Behavior,10(4), 311-336.