Ethics Article

Long-term care involves environment and supports that assists patients with advanced or chronic illnesses especially the old people who are more likely to experience mental or physical capacity decline. In a setting where long-term care is provided , there is a possibility that ethical issues will arise due to concerns about care  choices or experience of the patient , compliance with laws and policies by care givers and involvement of family members (Fahey, 2008).  The health care providers come across situations that need ethical behavior in decision-making and such requirements may make it hard to find a solution.

When providing care to patients , healthcare workers normally want to make the right decision and do what is right .This involves following procedures and policies  which help in ensuing that patients are properly care for. Nonetheless, questions can still arise, like how a patient who refuses to eat should be cared for. The ethical issue in this case is whether one should support the right of the patient to make decisions even when it is apparent that their choices are poor.  The patient may also sign advance directive documents indicating their health care choices especially when their life is nearing the end. Such directives may present ethical issues in case their outcomes are not good for the patients, considering that the law requires the health care workers to adhere to them (Otte et al.2014).

 At times, disagreements may occur due to results of a health care choice which may be positive or negative. Health care providers may follow the established ethical codes and still find that they have no right answer.  The mental status of the patient may change which can give rise to ethical issues if the patient cannot make the right decisions. In addition, provision of long-term care requires working with family members and having an understanding of ethical or even legal standards at times (Fahey, 2008). In this case, being ethical means that the care giver allows the patient to choose the kind of information or how much should be share with the families.

 To absolve themselves of any blame and in order to avoid disagreements health care workers should adhere to legal and ethical standards in place. Providing support to patients so that they make the right decisions will go a long way in avoiding disagreements and preventing patients from making wrong decisions.

References

Fahey, M. C. J. (2008). Aging and Long-Term Care: Some Ethical Challenges.

 

Otte, I., Jung, C., Elger, B., & Bally, K. (2014). Advance directives and the impact of timing. Swiss Med Wkly, 144, w14035.