End of Life Ethical Issues Essay

In this workshop activity, you are required to investigate and report on ONE ethical principle as it is demonstrated in a case study situation, then review and assess the reports prepared by your fellow students.Read the case studies below and decide which ethical principles are involved in each situation: (a) describe the principle  Principle of Respect for Autonomy The Webster dictionary (2002) defines Autonomy as â€Å"personal rule of the self that is free from both controlling interferences by others and from personal limitations that prevent meaningful choice.† And in keeping with this definition we, as registered nurses, must respect the right for individuals to act intentionally, with understanding, and without controlling influences to their free will. (b) explain how it applies in the case study situation  The difficulties, and moral dilemma’s, that are encountered in making â€Å"end of life† verves â€Å"quality of life† decisions involved in situations like Edward Biltons should always be related to the principal of respect for autonomy, when the patient has competently made their own choices. The ICU nursing staff and Mr Bilton’s parents need to accept and acknowledge that Edward has made his own choices based on his own values and belief systems. As health care professionals that will experience similar situations to this, it is important to not have own morals and beliefs influence our patients’ decisions about their care. In the health care environment, an individuals’ autonomy is applied through obtaining informed consent. It could be argued that he has not formally withdrawn consent for treatment as he is unable to communicate at this stage, but his living will sets out that in the event of an accident he does not wish to be artificially kept alive should he be fully dependent and disabled . Clearly this dependence and disability is evident in the fact that despite he should regain consciousness, he will be severely neurologically impaired. (c) offer your perspective on or resolution of the dilemma. You need to rationalise your perspective using the ethical principles and practices you have researched  With this scenario, other people must afford Edward the respect he deserves, give him the means to exercise his will, and not contradict his previously made decisions pertaining to his autonomy. The principle of respect for autonomy indicates that individuals’ should be allowed to freely make their own decisions in relation to the health care they receive. We grant this freedom of autonomy to our patients when they can give their consent to, or refusal from, treatment whilst in our health care facility and this same respect for their autonomy should be afforded in situations like Edward Biltons. In this situation Edward Bilton has previously and in sound mind made a decision of his future in certain circumstances.