BA Assignment

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Running header: SHOW YOU CARE 1

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SHOW YOU CARE

Title

Name

University

Course

Date

Situation

This scenario is about the patient’s state of poverty. In third world countries such as Haiti or even in the U.S there is ranges of poverty. In Florida over 16% of the population is below the poverty level. These people sometimes do not have the advantage of healthcare. They either do not have the funds to pay for it or are unable to actually go to the healthcare facility. Some do not have cars to take to be able to get to the healthcare facility. In this scenario a 13-year-old child arrives to the emergency room. She has severe pain in the abdomen, and she needs testing which may lead to the need for surgery, her mother is the only provider for her and her little brother. Her mother works two jobs and is still unable to get health insurance. She is afraid of the cost these tests and maybe surgery will put on their family.

Care-based Ethics

Care-based ethics can be defined as making a decision based on what you would personally want done if you were in the dilemma (Rachels, 2019). If I was in this situation where I feared costs versus the care of my child, I would certainly want everything done for my child. In the care-based ethics you do unto others as you would want done to you. It is the golden rule in care-based ethics. In healthcare we should try to do everything in our power to give the best care possible no matter what. There are many recourses that could alleviate the cost of these procedures. These could be something such as a pro bono surgery. There are also repayment plans without interest or even working with the billing department can reduce the bill or be totally forgiven. The solutions may be flawed and may be harder to obtain than though of. I believe with lots of hard work and persistence I think these could be attainable. It is the healthcare workers job to help these become more attainable if necessary. It is also our jobs to give the best medical care without discriminating due to their lack of funds.

Health Care Technology

Some health care technology would include making information easily accessible by the electronic MAR. This cuts down on time for the healthcare providers to access information to easily dictate treatment. It is easier to communicate with fellow staff members through this when something such as medications are prescribed the other healthcare provider would know. This also allows insurance claims to be easily processed. “Morality, he urged, is not about pleasing God, nor is it about being faithful to abstract rules; instead, it is about making the world as happy as possible,” (Rachels, 2019).  This utilitarian moral code looks at making the patient as happy as possible. We give the best treatment possible while easing their worries. Even if the patient does not have any insurance or money to pay for treatment, we still give them care to make the patient as happy as possible. By using the MAR, they could cut down on time and cost which would make the patient’s mom happy. “Kant’s ethics are organized around the notion of a “categorical imperative,” which is a universal ethical principle stating that one should always respect the humanity in others, and that one should only act in accordance with rules that could hold for everyone,” (Jankowiak, 2016).This means that humanity should be respected and give the best treatment no matter who you are and what you do. By using the MAR, we can see patient records and quickly make decisions for care as well as making the right decision by having all the information we need in one place. With ethical egoism they do what is in the best interest of themselves. If the MAR gives them all the information, they need to make the decision to give them the correct treatment because if not it would be detrimental for their career. So, by looking out for the patient you are looking out for yourself. I believe the social contract theorists would agree that by helping each other you help yourself.

Social Technology

Social technologies can be seen when people share research on online platforms. It can be seen on most social media and certain websites directed toward medical advancement. This could be used in the scenario to speed up the treatment process such as faster diagnosis. After surgery if needed could allow for a faster recovery because the surgery could be microsurgery with minimal incisions. Ultimately it could be cost effective treatment. The utilitarianism would look at making the patients happy as possible. Most patients are not happy in the hospital so if we can make a speedy recovery time allowing them to get back to their everyday lives, they would be happier. The cost would also go down which would also give the patient more joy. The Kantian deontology is about preserving and respecting human life. They would agree that with an easier treatment and time in the hospital it could decrease the risk of complication at the hospital. This could reduce the risk for infections which could lengthen time at the hospital and increase costs. Ethical egoisms we do what is best for ourselves and in this case as the patient I believe they would want to make their stay shorter which is less costly. The social contract of ethics I believe would also agree that by choosing the route of treatment that allows less time in the hospital benefits you as well as the next patient that would need to be seen after you.

Conclusion

To conclude, the use of healthcare technology as well as the social technology could improve patient care. The scenario depicts a woman who is has no insurance and has a child who will need treatment. By using these advancements, it could cut down on the cost and provide efficient care. It will help the hospital as a whole with better communication and easier treatment time. Ultimately helping patient receive efficient and cost-effective care that would help the people in poverty.

References

Rachels, S., & Rachels, J. (2019). The elements of moral philosophy. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Education.

Jankowiak, T., (2016). Immanuel Kant. Retrieved June 10, 2020. From: https://www.iep.utm.edu/kantview/#:~:text=Immanuel%20Kant&text=Kant's%20ethics%20are%20organized%20around,that%20could%20hold%20for%20everyone.