Ethics Game Simulation Reflective Journal
Ethics Game Simulation Reflective Journal Ethics Game Simulation Reflective Journal Ethics is defined as “the branch of philosophy concerned with evaluating human action… meaning character, customs, or habitual uses, ethics encompasses a process of determining right conduct from wrong. ” (Guido, 2010, p. 3). Nurses are confronted with numerous ethical dilemmas that are intertwined with legal issues. Concepts of ethical and legal concepts are frequently interplayed and decisions between the two are often intricate.
One must go through steps of the critical decision process and contemplation among the four lenses for the best solution. The four lenses include the Rights and Responsibility lens, the Results lens, the Relationships lens, and the Reputation lens. (Ethicgame, 2012). Based on moral, value and virtual one can come to the best decision going through each lens. Two scenarios were presented in the ethic simulation game. The first one involved a 16- year- old girl in active labor, whose parents are adamant on limiting medical assistance and pain relief.
Their decision was based on bad premise of religious belief to “punish” the patient for premarital pregnancy. The ethical dilemma in this case is that the patient is a minor, and legally the parents are entitled to make decisions regarding her care. Ethically, as nurse we are in a position to do no harm and provide adequate care to the patient. In the simulation, question of many aspect of decision- making were raised. Course of action to take, stakeholders and how their perspective role will be influence by my decision were analyzed.
Rights and responsibility and the result lens were used to make the decision in the simulation. The ethical thing to do in this situation is to advocate for the most vulnerable, which in this case is the patient who is a miner. Although her parents have the legal right, their intention was to “punish” and not for the patient’s best interest. Appeasing the parents would result in defying our duty as a nurse of nonmaleficence but going against their wishes may result in lawsuit. Additionally to challenge the parents of their intentions may introduce negative feelings and violate their right to autonomy.
Although the parents disapprove of their daughter’s premarital pregnancy, they would not want any harm to come to her. Through educating the parents on the severity of the circumstances they can be guided, and not forced, to make the right decision. The second scenario presents an unconscious patient whose same-sex domestic partner was denied access for visitation. The written policy of the hospital is to treat domestic partners like married couples. The supervisor that made the call used their own interpretation of the policy clouded by their own agenda.
The ethical dilemma in this situation is that equal rights that allow the same accessibility for domestic partner should be provided without discrimination to gender. The organization’s core value was clearly violated here, and interventions need to be made. Relationship lens and the Reputation lens were used in this scenario along with nurse’s duty to treat everyone as equals. It is basic human rights to have their own support system in a time of need. Especially in the case where the patient is unconscious, their domestic partner would be the one person who understands their wants and needs.
It is unethical to deny visitation privileges based on race, religion, sexual orientation, color, or disability. In cases where it is medical appropriate, visitation privileges should not be restricted. Advocating for an unconscious patient of their domestic partner’s visitation rights would be in our ethical principle of beneficence. Concepts in the simulation jolt recalls of various scenarios in my workplace where ethical decision had to be made. Working in a long-term acute care facility, I encounter numerous patients who are unconscious or are pronounce medically incapable of making their own decisions.
As a trusted health care professional, we are the patients’ voice who cannot speak for themselves. My second job I work as a supervisor for a convalescent hospital. Working in this modern day with very culturally diverse population as a supervisor I would need to set the tone for my organization. Legal, medical, and ethical ramifications are considered and carefully analyzed for situations in both of my jobs. Struggling with complex ethical decisions is frequent as nurses. The model in the ethics simulation game provides the importance of assessment needed by utilizing the four lenses.
The most ethical decision is often not the easiest one to make. Ethics has personal value attached and varies upon each individual. Working for leaders who values ethics and staff who understands the same values is a must for the best outcome. Advocating for the patient at times means jumping through hoops. Setting our personal agenda and interest aside is a basic requirement as a healthcare professional. The team needs a leader that can assess a situation and use appropriate judgments to come up with the best solution.
Medical, legal, ethical consequences must be considered in complicated situations regardless of different values. As one with authority, it is important to be committed to inspire and motivate others based on the organization’s core value. To have the knowledge and tools to assess and the best course of action proves to be crucial to generate the best solution. References EthicsGame. com (2012). Ethics Lens Inventory. Retrieved August 30, 2012 from http://www. ethicsgame. com/Exec/Doorway/List. aspx Guido. G. W. (2010). Legal & ethical issues in nursing (5th ed. ). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.
