Challenges present in Scenario 1 include informed consent and conflict of
interest. Informed consent allows a patient to agree to participate in procedures
or studies that pertain to their medical care. When a clinical study is conducted
by a medical provider, patients must be educated about the details of the study
and consent to participate. In Scenario 1 the provider collects data but removes
participants with health profiles that will decrease the significance of the
study. This action is unethical because it compromises the validity of the
research and also removes participating patients without their knowledge.
Patients must also receive information about the expected length of
participation, their responsibilities as study subjects, anticipated compensation
for participation (if any), the possible circumstances under which participation
may be discontinued (despite subjects’ consent), the possible compensation
and treatments available should they have a trial-related injury, and the extent
to which records that contain information about their identity will be kept
confidential (De Vine 2022).
Conflict of interest in science and medicine has been defined as a set of
conditions in which professional judgment concerning a primary interest (i.e.,
integrity of research) tends to be adversely influenced by a secondary interest
(i.e., financial gain) (Trudo & Duff 2006). Conflict of interest is compromised
in scenario 1 when the physician c receives financial compensation if the
research study is successful. It is unethical to have a physician seek financial
gain from a research study. Intentionally omitting sample information is an
example of how financial gain can compromise the validity of a study and the
credibility of the healthcare professional overseeing it. The best strategies for
the employee that witnesses these practices would be to address the physician
and institution to report it.
In healthcare, ethics is a code of conduct based on morals. Policy is law or
regulation set forth by an institution. Ethics and policy do not always match up
with one another. Decisions can be made to follow policy but may
compromise a healthcare professional's ethics. For example, a company policy
may state a patient has the right to make their own health decisions. If a
physician notices the patient choosing medical interventions that place their
health at risk , they may advise the patient but they are not allowed to directly
intervene on the patient's behalf.
If a provider's individual ethics do not align with organizational policy they
should leave the organization and seek employment with an organization with
similar ethics and core values. It is imperative that employees follow
organizational policies to reduce the possibility of liabilities. In healthcare,
many members of an organization contribute to a patient's care and it is
important that all employees follow the same standards.
Reference
De Vine, C. L. . B. A. (2022). Informed consent. Salem Press Encyclopedia of
Health.
Trudo Lemmens, & Duff Waring. (2006). Law and Ethics in Biomedical
Research : Regulation, Conflict of Interest and Liability. University of
Toronto Press.
