Ethical dilemma in healthcare confidentiality and family loyalty

Ethics can be defined as standards employed by people to make a determination of what is the right course of action to undertake in a given situation. Ethics are reliant on a logical and rational set of principles to come to a decision, which in essence, is a cognitive procedure or practice. Ethical dilemmas come about pretty much on a daily basis. It is imperative to take note that situations or circumstances that are uncomfortable or tough, but that do not necessitate a choice are not considered ethical dilemmas (Allen, 2013).

The first aspect for an ethical dilemma is that there has to be an agent or person who has to make a decision on which the best or ideal course of action is to undertake. Secondly, there has to be numerous courses of action that one can select from. Finally, regardless of what course of action is undertaken, there is some ethical standard or principle that either is, or may be, compromised in the end. In other words, with reference to ethical dilemmas, there may be no 'ideal' solution (Allen, 2013).

This paper will encompass a situation in which I experienced an ethical dilemma and the manner in which I resolved this issue within myself. It will also encompass the manner in which I would undertake this action in future if faced with the similar ethical dilemma.

Ethical Dilemma

One of the ethical dilemmas I can recall was at my previous workplace where I worked as an intern in the administrative department of a major health care organization. I had attained this job during the summer through my brother's fiancee. My responsibilities and duties were to administer the databank that included all the pertinent records of the clinics and hospitals, records of physicians and nurses, and also the maintenance of the different health organizations in the expense.

It is important to point out that these sources of data and information were private and confidential and had to be handled in a discrete manner. If any of this information would be leaked or revealed, it would have great consequences. Therefore, one of the most significant aspects of my job as the intern was to ensure that there was sustained confidentiality and secrecy at all times.

One month down the line, I obtained information from the records that placed me into an ethical dilemma. In my everyday tasks, I bumped into information regarding my brother's fiancee. Information on her files indicated that she had a child from another man. The information also revealed that she had not yet been divorced and insurance was currently covering both of them. I was certain at the time that my brother was not aware of this circumstance as he had told the family everything about her and said she had not been married before. What is more, the two of them were about to tie the knot in a month's time.

In stumbling into this information, I was in an ethical dilemma. On one hand, I was obligated by my job not to reveal any information received out of the work place and into the open. In doing so, I would sustain my integrity and keep my job. This job was important for me as I substantially needed it for my curriculum vitae. More so, it was my brother's fiancee that assisted me in finding the job opportunity in the first place. On the other hand, in revealing this information to my brother, he would know the truth. However, this would also break his wedding that he had been planning for several months now.

Alternative Solution

However, in the future, I would have done it completely different. Coming to realize that I would not have been jailed for revealing such information, I would have told my brother the truth. On the basis of utilitarianism, the theory accentuates that a course of action is considered to be ethical if it bring happiness to the greatest number of people (Robison and Reeser, 2000). It takes into account the total pleasure of a decision made or course of action undertaken against the total pain that comes about.

I would have undertaken this differently as the eventual pain would be greater than the pleasure. In the end, my brother would find out once already married, and the aspects of heartbreak and even divorce are more painful in comparison to the happiness of getting married. The other solution would have been to confront my brother's fiancee and make her reveal the truth to my brother. However, this would take in the risk of her denying everything. However, in this way everyone would be happy. The truth would be revealed by her and this would bring satisfaction to everyone in the end as is based on utilitarianism. One other potential solution, which I did not consider at the time, would have been to discuss the situation and my dilemma with a work supervisor, and at least get input confirming that I had made the appropriate choice.