Informed Consent Crucial Aspects

DISCUSSION BOARD

Discussion Board

Question 1

To begin with, in seeking to ensure that patients are aware of not only their rights, but also the physician’s responsibility to avail informed consent, I would make it mandatory for healthcare providers to avail adequate information regarding the various treatment options/procedures and expected outcomes. This could be accomplished by developing and availing to the said providers a standard manual for an engagement of this nature and requiring them to document specific aspects of their engagements with patients. The said documentation could be undertaken in progress notes.

On the other hand, to ensure that patients are well informed about what is needed for informed consent to be deemed sufficient, I would seek to ensure that the said patients are taken through the core elements of informed consent. These could be inclusive of; a) what the procedure entails b) the various benefits as well as downsides of the proposed courses of action c) alternative courses of action and d) the benefits as well as downsides of the alternative courses of action. An additional component could be incorporated calling for the evaluation of the patient’s comprehension of the items identified above.

Lastly, to see to it that patients are able to better understand all that is being presented in their encounter with a doctor, there would be need to ensure that a provision is provided for patients to float any queries or concerns they may have about the procedure, its risks/benefits, or the alternative courses of action highlighted. Further, it should also be noted that the relevance of cultural competence cannot be overstated on this front. Kaihlanen, Hietapakka, and Heponiemi (2019) point out that in the realm of healthcare, “cultural competence is defined as an understanding of how social and cultural factors influence the health beliefs and behaviors of patients and how these factors are considered at different levels of a healthcare delivery system to assure quality healthcare” (136). It therefore follows that in this case, engagements or encounters between providers and patients must be rooted in respect for cultural diversity and modes of communication adapted accordingly.

Question 2

Compassion happens to be an important value in healthcare delivery. To a large extent, it refers to how doctors empathetically respond to their patients’ needs and/or suffering – in which case they seek to promote well-being of the said patients via engagement in certain actions. Compassion is related to the bioethical principle of beneficence which, according to Lemberg (2019), refers to the nature of human beings to do what is inherently good and of benefit to others. Essentially, both beneficence and compassion are associated with concern for others and generosity. Compassion happens to be a moral value given that in healthcare delivery, it motivates all healthcare practitioners to direct their attention towards the well-being of their patients by seeing beyond their own interest. Essentially, through compassion, healthcare practitioners remain committed to the promotion of the wellbeing of patients. There are various ways through which compassion can be demonstrated. For instance, healthcare providers can demonstrate compassion by spending more time with their patients. According to Faubion (n. d), healthcare providers can show compassion by listening to their patients as well as their loved ones so as to incorporate their insights or perspectives into the care plan. Secondly, providers could also ensure that they show patients genuine interest in the course of their interactions. Though genuine interest, Faubion (n. d) suggests that the said providers will be able to know what matters most to their patients. It is also important to note that compassion could be demonstrated by respecting and addressing the concerns of patients.