Case study on biomedical ethics in the christian narrative claudia fr

Applying the Four Principles: Case Study
Part 1: Chart (60 points)
Based on the “Healing and Autonomy” case study, fill out all the relevant boxes below. Provide the information by means of bullet
points or a well-structured paragraph in the box. Gather as much data as possible.
Medical Indications
Patient Preferences
Beneficence and Nonmaleficence
Autonomy
James was brought to the hospital with a throat infection known In the case in question, James is 8-years-old which means that he
as
streptococcus
infection
that
later
led
to
acute is a minor and therefore is not in a position to make health
glomerulonephritis. James also has high blood pressure and fluid decisions for himself. Such cases leave guardians and parents
build-up which requires immediate dialysis. However, his with the right to make these decisions for the minor. In this case,
condition deteriorates due to his parents’ choice of foregoing Mike makes decisions. The doctor explains James’ condition to
dialysis. He now needs regular dialysis as well as a kidney his parents and the needed treatment which the parents decide to
transplant within a year. The kidney is to be donated by his twin forego and believe in healing by faith and the doctor respects the
brother Samuel. The principle of beneficence explains that it is decision as it is required of him according to the principle of
necessary to make sure James gets the transplant as a way of autonomy. However, this decision costs James regular dialysis
bettering his health condition and improving the quality of his life. and a transplant. For the second time, the parents are supposed to
the principle of non-maleficence explains that in as much as the decide on whether they will allow their other son Samuel to
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kidney donation should be safe for him and the brother and should donate his kidney to his brother James. The doctor is given a
not cause them any harm.
right by the principle of autonomy to give the parents education
on the benefits of this transplant as well as the dangers of
foregoing is based on medical facts (Nandifa et al., 2020) and
leave them to make their decision independently.
Quality of Life
Contextual Features
Beneficence, Nonmaleficence, Autonomy
Justice and Fairness
Following the principle of autonomy that gave the parents the
Mike and Joanne are having trouble deciding if it would be
right to choose to forego treatment and opt for faith healing has
wise to agree to the transplant or it would be wise to put their
caused James’ health to worsen. The dialysis will improve his
confidence in healing by faith once more. They are confused
condition and keep him stable but the transplant is needed to
between letting Samuel undergo surgery and opposing the
make him well, failure to which he could lose his life. However,
surgery and risking the life of his other son James. The
his parents are still thinking of choosing not to allow for the
principle of justice and fairness relates to this case study in the
transplant and are viewing this as their real test of faith which
sense that would it be fair to risk Samuel’s life by making him
would now cost their son his life. The principle of non-
undergo surgery and putting him at risk of living with one
maleficence states that the medical procedures should not pose
kidney hence lowering the quality of his life. At the same
harm or threats to the two brothers’ lives. However, the
time, would it be fair to let James die out of uncertainty of the
transplant puts Samuel’s life at risk. In this case, the principle of
outcomes of his other son undergoing surgery?
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autonomy, the principle of beneficence, and the principle of nonmaleficence conflict.
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Part 2: Evaluation
Answer each of the following questions about how the four principles and four boxes approach
would be applied:
1. In 200-250 words answer the following: According to the Christian worldview, how would
each of the principles be specified and weighted in this case? Explain why. (45 points)
According to the Christian worldview, God has commanded Christians to offer service to
creation. That is why we have even Christians signing up for medical courses. The medical
field has its basis formed on religious grounds because just like religious leaders, medical
practitioners should offer services that are ethically and morally upright (Jill Day et al.,
2018). On the principle of beneficence and non-maleficence, God commands Christians to
put other people’s needs first by loving our neighbors more than ourselves. James’ doctor’s
advice for treatment is because the outcome of his health is a priority to him and he has no
ill motive. On patient autonomy, God has given Christians free will to do whatever they
wish, thus the doctor follows this command by giving mike and the wife the right to choose
what they feel is right for their son. The bible also commands Christians to be fair and just
when making decisions regarding other people (Cherry, 2019), thus, Mike should make just
and fair decisions. When handling the case in question, the physician and the parents should
base their judgment on the four principles as well as the Christian beliefs of faith, for the
wellbeing of both Samuel and James. By agreeing, the Christian beliefs and medical
practices will together result in improvement of quality of health for both children.
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2. In 200-250 words answer the following: According to the Christian worldview, how might a
Christian balance each of the four principles in this case? Explain why. (45 points)
In the case study in question, the religious beliefs of the parents and the medical practices
recommended colliding. This is making it quite hard for the physician to handle James’ case.
It also happens in several other cases in the medical field. This possesses a need for a strike
of balance between the religious beliefs of patients and the medical practices in place. A
balance between the biomedical principles and the religious beliefs would together promote
health. In a case where these two factors collide and for a balance to be achieved, the health
and the state a patient is in should always be the first consideration. The urgency of treatment
should also be considered. If the state of health is bad, and treatment is needed urgently, then
the patient’s need should come first. In the case study, letting Samuel undergo surgery and
donate one of his kidneys seems like a risk factor to the quality of his health. at the same
time, it is the only available option or his brother could die. This shows that his parents
should incorporate their faith in God here and trust that God through the doctors, will heal
both of his sons, and give doctors the go-ahead. This would strike a balance between their
decisions based on their beliefs and the doctor’s decisions. In conclusion, when such
situations come up, the well-being of the patient should always be a priority.
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References
Nandifa, V. N. P., Jena, Y., & Joewana, S. (2020). Beneficence is the highest moral imperative of
a doctor dealing with the poor quality of patient autonomy. Jurnal Pendidikan Kedokteran
Indonesia: The Indonesian Journal of Medical Education, 9(1), 44-51.
Jill Day, B. G. S., LDA, R., CDA, C., & Sarah Stream, B. A. (2018). Ethics in the Dental Office:
Autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, and justice should guide your decisions. Dental
Assistant, 87(4), 8-9.
Cherry, M. J. (2019). Bioethics without God: The transformation of medicine within a fully secular
culture. Christian bioethics: Non-Ecumenical Studies in Medical Morality, 25(1), 1-16.
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