Preference of Patients Essay

In the medical profession, t here(predicate) ar some issues that call for ethical appraisal. Although these issues index be provided for under the code of ethics of the medical profession, they grow raised several polemical debates that rent haunted the ethical foundation of the profession. whizz of such issues which have been a cause of controversy is the preference of perseverings.When we blabber more or less the preferences of patient ofs, what we are referring to is the choice of the patient after evaluating the health outcomes which qualification result from the treatment or refusal of treatment. There are several opposite issues that relates to this patient centered approach in the medical profession.Over the years, patients have been consent toed to adjudge some choices pertaining to the medical cope. Generally speaking, some slew are of the opinion that due to the availability of more information, some patients are non a novice to the medical devote and so should be allowed to make decisions round their treatment of course, under the guidance of the atomic number 101 and with correct sagaciousness of the particulars of the treatment. This approach is put in place in place in order to maintain a better, more flexible and less boss around environment. Thus the patients preference afeects the decisions about medical care as the indemnify can not make some snappy decisions. An example of the patients preference is the span of treatment,However, some tidy sum are of the opinion that due to the complex nature of the medical professions, patients should not be allowed to make decision that pertains to treatment procedures. This is informed by the fact that these patients might be fearful, not in their correct frame of top dog and may be looking for a form of treatment that pass on be less painful to them.It is therefore concluded that the patients decision should not be regarded at that point in conviction as that may not be wha t they would have chosen if they were in their proper(ip) frame of intellectual. This too like the other poses a problem. If we are to rely on this argument, so we are likely going to make it into trouble due to some issues associated with the absence of patient preferences. There is should be patient autonomy and patients have the moral and legal rights to make decisions that matter to their health and medical conditions.Thus, no matter how we view it, the issue of patients preference raises a problem from both sides. If for instance we show that the patient needs not be consulted in making decisions about treatment, then we are neglecting the legal right and moral rights of the patients. However, it might be true that in some given situations, the preference of the patient poses a affright to the patients health condition. And so it is risky to pass off such preferences as the patients decision makes him/her a threat to himself/herself. An example of this is refusal of tre atment.Furthermore, there are some other issues that associated with the absence or expression of patients preferences. For instance, except in emergency cases or in cases where the patient can not give consent, it is mandatory for the medico to seek the consent of the patient before any form of canvass or examination is carried out on them. Another issue that has been of controversial debate is surrogate decision-making.Should this be accepted in the medical practice? We should also require the issue of get on withd directives in medicine? Should patients be allowed to issue advanced directives? Since the goal of medicine is to save and protect lives, how then will we account for a situation where a doctor issues an advance directive at the request of a patient? The question here is which is higher? The purpose on which the foundation of the profession was based or the preference of the patients?In addition to this, should cultural or religious beliefs overshadow the goal of medicine? The Hippocratic Oath directs doctors/physicians to do whatever is in their power in making sure they save lives and help people in pains. As a doctor, should I not give kin to a dying patient in urgent need of argumentation because the patients religion does not believe in it? If I do this, I will be doing what I have do an oath to do but shouldnt I consider the right of the patient?Should I not consider the wish of the patient? As a doctor, I am obliged to communicate the truth about medical conditions to the patient but what should I do when I consider that the patient can not in the right frame of mind to take the information? Should I just say what I have to say bluntly or should I be lenient by withholding some weighty aspects of the information?In the case provided, the physician must(prenominal) make a distinction between duty and imagination or emotions. Although the patient might have make plans that the physician knows about, it is the doctors duty to commun icate the extent of the condition to the patient. The physician should be able to realize that he/she is bound by duty and must seek to discharge his/her duties rather than appeal to sentiments. To start with, it will be unwise and professionally illegal for the physician to withhold information from the patient because the patient is embarking on a tour around the world.For all I care, the medical safety of the patient is the utmost and should be given the great consideration. The question to ask is who is to be blamed if the physician allowed Mr. R.S to travel without carnal knowledge him the truth about his medical condition and in some government agency Mr. R.S dies during the trip? Should the physician, because he/she does not want to ruin the big plans made by the couple, decide not to fulfill what duty demands of him/her?Summarily, I hypothecate physicians should realize that they are dealing with the lives of people and thus should not allow sentiments in their practice. This is because some reasons are higher than others.ReferenceL Fraenkel, S T Bogardus Jr, and D R Wittink. Risk-attitude and patient treatment preferences Lupus, May1,2003Edwards and G. Elwyn How Should enduringness of Risk Communication to Aid Patients Decisions Be Judged? A Review of the Literature, checkup Decision Making, October1,1999Practical ethics for students, interns and residents. A Short Reference Manual. Junkerman C and Schiedermayer D. Second Edition. University Publishing Group, 1998.Drane, J. F. (1985). The Many Faces of Competency. Hasting Center Report 17-19.