Question

Discuss in depth at least one example in healthcare where there is a disconnect between law and ethics.

Answer 1

An example in healthcare, where there is disconnect in law and ethics:

The law refers to the body of binding rules and regulations , standards and customs established in a society under judicial and legislative authority . Ethics or the code of ethics are the set of standards that govern the conduct of a person especially a member of a profession. In healthcare ,some times there will be conflict between the law and ethics. An example for the conflict between law and ethics is:

Capital punishment: According to medical ethics Doctors should do no harm , instead do good. In certain cases of capital punishment, supreme Court may want the physician or Anaesthesiologist to accompany the process of Capital punishment to ensure that the anaesthesia is effective or to assess the person's condition of consciousness or to inject a lethal or other medicines to the person who is going to be executed. A case happened in 2006 in which Federal court ordered two Anaesthesiologist to supervise the punishment,but AMA opposed it as it is not an ethical act . Even if the Anesthesiologist agreed it for first ,then rejected the order.

There are many circumstances where there are conflict between law and ethics. Sometimes physicians will be in conflict, whether to breach confidentiality in order to open up to the Police about a criminal patient according to law or to keep silent .