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 d 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.
