Reflective Essay on Medical Ethics

Medical ethics is one of the most significant teaching modules in most of the medical schools. It encompasses the study of morality, careful and systematic reflection on, and analysis of moral decision and behavior. As a healthcare provider, we are often faced with obstacles and struggles in an attempt to offer competent and quality care to our patients. Besides, the numerous legalities to consider also became part of the challenges. Studies show that there is an excellent relationship between trying to resolve ethical issues and medical errors. Medical ethics explores several disciplines such as health policy, medical humanities, demography, philosophy, technology, law, and behavioral and social sciences and how they are intertwined. This essay will reflect on legal and ethical aspects of healthcare as a respiratory therapist.

Four ethical principles primarily guide my practice as a respiratory student and will continue to provide guidance in my future role as a respiratory therapist. These policies are autonomy (respect for free will), beneficence (to do good), non-malfeasance (avoid harming) and justice (acting justly) (CRTO, 2010). These are the main principles that I should fully optimize as a commitment to my ethical practice. I have learned that since we must analyze a problem from different perspectives, it is scarce to offer a straightforward answer to the problem. Therefore, as a health care professional, I must frequently make decisions based on ethical and legal issues. Learning moral principles, legal aspects and professional code of ethics help me to be knowledgeable of ethical decision making when a dilemma arises.

I learned in their day-to-day life several professionals make ethical decisions during the performance of their regular duties, some of them have legal implications such as when there is a more substantial workload in a particular day, and there is a shortage of staff. This can result in delaying of a specific patient while trying to prioritize, in case one of the patients whose treatment has been delayed develops a complication, those results to an ethical dilemma that results to a legal matter. Other moral decisions might not lead to a direct impact on a patient's health but instead relate to professional conduct, such as refraining from talking about a patient's private matter in a public space. Most of the ethical dilemmas in the healthcare department are usually unintentional or strives towards a greater good. However, as a respiratory therapist, critical thinking is vital to avoid violating ethical and legal guides (Mishoe, 2003). To make right decisions about ethical care in daily practice, I learned that as a Respiratory Therapist, I need to be aware of my values, especially how these values might conflict or align with each other, or with those of the patient and a member of the healthcare team. This understanding is essential to managing moral distress in case of such an occurrence.

In conclusion, Critical thinking in actual practice is more than intellectual or cognitive abilities. Therefore as a respiratory therapist, I require more opportunities to engage in critical discourse to improve decision-making, negotiation, communication and reflection during practice. Learning code of ethics help me to be knowledgeable of ethical decision making. I should also continually examine my assumptions and appreciate multiple perspectives. Finally, I should be aware of all my ethical requirements, patient's ethical and moral beliefs and the legal implications of solving any ethical dilemma.

References

CRTO. (2010). Commitment to Ethical Practice. College Of Respiratory Therapists Of Ontario, 22-25.

Mishoe, S. (2003). Critical Thinking in Respiratory Care Practice: A Qualitative Research Study. Respiratory Care, 500-517.