Patient Centered Care and Ethics

Ethical Dilemma

One ethical dilemma I have encountered in my practice was regarding vaccine hesitancy. A couple was reluctant to vaccinate their newborn. A fellow nurse was torn between respecting the rights of the couple and trying to give health education regarding the efficacy of vaccinations. The couple insisted that they saw a link between vaccines and autism, and it almost became a big argument that put patient satisfaction in jeopardy. The nurse needs to know where to draw the line, ethically speaking, between giving health literacy and respect patients’ autonomy (Usberg et al., 2021).

The most effective way for nurses to resolve ethical dilemmas is to be mindful of the ethical principles and standards they are supposed to represent in their practice, including the principles of beneficence, patient autonomy, and non-maleficence (Zhou et al., 2024). In addition to this, hospitals and healthcare clinics usually have established policies or protocols in place for handling ethical issues. Nurses need to familiarize themselves with these guidelines and ask for training if they have not been given it. They can also ask for access to ethics committees or for a consultation if they have remaining questions.

Nurses should also take part in continuous education to help with staying abreast of ethical standards and guidelines in their profession (Kristofferson, 2021). They can pick up tips about patient-centered care practices and communication tips, guidelines for how to resolve tension, and how to convey information while respecting patient rights at the same time. Becoming a member of a medical association like the AMA can also help as they issue guidelines on nursing ethics that can be of assistance for nurses trying to figure out the right way to deal with ethical issues like the one described above. At the end of the day, however, the best approach is to adhere to the principles of doing no harm, beneficence, and autonomy.