Ethical Issues in Healthcare

There are certain ethical issues that have to be dealt with, in healthcare on a daily basis. These may include

Prioritizing activities in order of importance - this may include giving preference to one patient over another.

Maintaining a clear distinction between what is right and wrong.

Deciding when patients are free to leave the hospital and being accountable for their decisions.

Supporting a patient's decision and choice (even if not in the patient's best interests); not taking patients' decisions for them;

Taking decisions for patients when they are not fit to do so.

Taking actions that will benefit the patient's health.

Taking decisions without any considerations of race, gender, class.

Deciding how much time to give to each patient - based on their need, their ability to pay for services, how much they "deserve", or equally among all patients.

Maintaining the privacy of the patient - but disclosing information where necessary (in case of a crime, for instance).

Yet another debate that has been gaining momentum lately is that about the issue of assisted suicide. Proponents of assisted suicide believe that it is the moral right of every human being to decide when they want to end their own lives without causing harm to others. If one is handicapped, disabled, or knows that one is dying of a terminal disease, one may choose to end one's pain and suffering than allow it to slowly take the life out of one. While most people can easily end their lives, others who are disabled may be unable to do so in a respectful manner. It is in such cases that their request for life to be terminated should be respected and adhered to. The questions this issue poses are as follows.

Is it acceptable to reject a request such as this because it is society's moral duty to protect life?

Is it not the moral responsibility of every human being to end the suffering of another, particularly when asked for by the sufferer himself?

Will the passing of a legislation that permits this system enable family and friends to merely "get rid of" someone because their illness is a hindrance in their lives?

What if individuals who have signed their own death warrant change their minds at the last minute, and are unable to convey this message to those around because of their physical condition?

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