Ethic discussion EBP

Introduction

Ethical principles are required to govern how the clinician is going to behave or conduct themselves in presence of a patient. It looks at the right or wrong clinical decision making processes and determine the overall consequences (Klugman, 2016). This paper discusses three ethical principles in nursing, issues and solutions. 

Beneficence

 According to this principle, the clinician and other care providers are usually required to ensure that they have done everything they are supposed to do to benefit the patient in any clinical situation. All the treatment and medical procedures, be it administering medicine or performing a surgery that is recommended is supposed to be with the intention of benefiting the patient. This means that it is important all forms of clinical practice are done to the most good of the patient (Plante, 2016).  For clinicians to ensure the practice of beneficence, it will be important for clinicians to establish and maintain a high level of knowledge and skill, this means that they have to ensure that they are well trained in the most current and best type of clinical practices, they also have to ensure that they have considered their patient’s individual circumstances, including what can work and what cannot work for their patient as what is important for one patient may not work for the other. 

Autonomy

    When it comes to the principle of autonomy, it usually looks at the right of the patient to have the power and authority over what is done to their bodies or their health. In any case what the clinician is supposed to do is to advise or suggest, however when it comes to the application of any medical decisions it should be agreed by both the patient and the clinician, also according to this principle, an attempt to coerce or persuade the patient to making decisions is a great violation of the principle of autonomy (Klugman, 2016). In the end,  it important that the clinician allows the patient to make his or her decision even when the medical provider believes that the choices which the patient is making may not be at the best interest, the patient is supposed to make independent decision as these makes them satisfied with exercising their individual or personal value. 

Non-Maleficence

 The principle of Non-Maleficence is usually referred to the principle of ‘Do Not Harm’. This principle is usually very important and is supposed to be part of the end goal in regard to the decision of the clinician (Klugman, 2016). The principles also usually refers to the fact that the medical providers are supposed to consider if the society or other people are going to be affected by the decisions they made, even when it is done in the benefit of the patient. 

Ethical Violations and how to safeguard it

  Among the most common violations of ethical principles is when clinicians make medical decisions for personal or financial gains without considering their patient’s point of view. Also the clinician may decide to go ahead with a surgery or treatment without the consent of the patient without considering the view of the patient (Plante, 2016).  For example a patient might be frightened by needles  and it is only needles that can give then anaesthesia it is important that in such a situation the clinician works with the patient by respecting the fact that he or she does not like needs  and does not desire to be operated, which is his or her autonomy, the clinician should thus work with the patient to prevent her from getting worse which is the principle of beneficence but must ensure that no harm is done to the patients physical, mental and emotional well-being  which is under the principle of non-maleficence.

References

Klugman, C. M. (2016). Recognizing Ethical Terms, Theories, and Principles. Ethical Competence in Nursing Practice. doi:10.1891/9780826126382.0001

Plante, T. G. (2016). Principles of incorporating spirituality into professional clinical practice. Practice Innovations, 1(4), 276-281. doi:10.1037/pri0000030