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The Ethics Of Medical Ethics

Satisfactory Essays

Ethical Essay 1. Within a biomedical context there are four principles that should be used in the consideration of medical ethics (REFERENCE). Respect for autonomy as the name suggests refers to the respectful manner in which healthcare professionals carry themselves ensuring that they allow persons to make reasoned informed choices (REFERENCE). On a superficial level, David should have the right to make his own decision on whether or not he wishes to go ahead with the intramuscular injection. Unfortunately, when applying this principle within the context of the mental health scenario this is challenged as David’s decision-making capabilities and ability to perform effective autonomy is compromised (Austlii.edu.au, 2015). Whilst it is important to assess mental health patients and their capacities individually, in this instance David’s vulnerability to self-harm is a strong factor in determining his own capability to make beneficial health choices. Beneficence refers to the balance of treatment against the risks and costs associated (REFERENCE). Within this balance the healthcare professional should act in a way that is of most benefit to the patient. Whilst from a physician’s perspective the long-acting intramuscular injection is of benefit to the patient, it is naïve to think that it too, is a benefit in David’s eye (REFERENCE). In this context, the application of intramuscular injection without consent has room for exploration as the negative impact of prolonged

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