Question

What impact has past ethical issues had on today's healthcare research? Provide an example. What have we learned from this?

Answer 1

There have been numerous ethical issues in the past that still have a direct impact on today's health care research.

1. Health care workers are strictly prohibited from entering into a personal relationship with the patients they are treating. This is done because the patients at the time of receiving treatment is considered vulnerable and is not in a position to defend himself. Maintaining personal relationships with patients especially sexual relationships is seen as misuse of power and authority by the healthcare workers.

2. The patient must be aware of the medical treatment he/she is receiving and must give consent because without the patient's consent, no procedure can be carried out. It is considered an assualt on the patient.

3. Violating patient confidentiality can cause legal and ethic consequences. It is crucial for the health care workers to not disclose any information about patient or patients medical history with anyone without his or her permission.

What we can learn from these is that these ethical issues are there to protect both the parties involved that is the patient and the healthcare workers. They are there to protect a patients diginity and a healthcare workers authority. These can be seen as the lines which should not be crossed in order to deliver medical services effectively and efficiently without any problems.