HLSC220: Health Care - Ethical Dilemma - Essay Writing Assessment Answers

Introduction

The cornerstones of the ethical healthcare practice are to provide quality care to the patient and prevent any harm. However, there are many situations where healthcare professionals want to do the right thing, but could not understand to do it in a right way. This situation gives rise to ethical dilemma. Ethic is the moral value where a person is concern for good behavior, and considers it as an obligation to not only consider personal well-being, but also that of others. Thus, ethical behavior is the most appropriate behavior, which includes moral obligations, principles and values and also understanding difference between right and wrong. Ethical dilemma is the situation, which is very complex and creates conflict between moral values and transgressing another. This essay will discuss ethical dilemma in relation to the case study of Kamil Samra, who is a sports physiotherapist is stuck in ethical dilemma to report about the illegal use of banned performance enhancing drug at the club, where he works. The two healthcare professionals involved in this case will be the physiotherapist and sports scientist. The essay will also discuss the rights and dignity of the players, principles of healthcare ethics and will propose a legal and defensible resolution for this situation, with the help of relevant code of ethics and professional conduct.

Stakeholders and Healthcare Professionals

Kamil is employed at AFL club, as sports physiotherapists for the players. He is also a specialist in treating musculoskeletal injuries. According to the information offered in the case study, Kamil comes to know that sports scientist and coach are supplying performance enhancing drug to the players. This drug is Thymosin Beta 4, which is also illegal to be taken. The stakeholders involved in this case are the players, who are not free to refuse the drug, as they are contractually bound. The two healthcare professional involved in the case would be the physiotherapist and the sports scientist. The role of sports physiotherapist or sports physical therapist is very important. The main role of the physiotherapist involves prevention, evaluation, treatment and rehabilitation of the players (Gardner, 2011). The physiotherapist has the doctoral degree in physical therapy and is completely focused on the sports medicine. Improving the performance of the players is also one of the functions of a physical therapist. Kamil being a physical therapist have the responsibility of preventing any kind of medical harm to the players. Physiotherapist is also responsible for managing the medication and educating players about medication (Gardner, 2011). Sports physiotherapist is the person, who is recognized for being competent enough to provide overall care to the sports players. A therapist is also well versed with the legislations related to the sports and health of players.

The healthcare team of the sports can include various professionals, such as athletic trainer, athletic director, sports scientist and team physician. The role of sports scientists is also important for the better performance of the team, as sports scientists are responsible for enhancing the team performance, and develop new equipments to help athletes and players in improving their performance. Sports scientists are also biomechanists, who apply the law of physics to improve performance of the athletes. Thus, the main role of the sports scientists is to understand and apply the relevant techniques of physiology, medicine, biomechanics, motor control and psychology to enhance player performance (Greenfield & West, 2012). In the given case study the two healthcare professionals involved in the case are sports physiotherapists and sports scientist. They both are liable to complete their duties with best application of ethics and code of conduct.

Ethical and Legal Conflicts

The given case study involves many ethical and legal conflicts. The legislation and code of ethics provide many established principles, which are required to be followed, while performing healthcare practice. Kamil finds that coach and sports scientists are supplying performance-enhancing drug to players. The ethical dilemma for Kamil is that club management has offered him money for not reporting the matter of using banned peptide. Such ethical dilemma can occur in various forms in front of healthcare professionals. Kamil can accept that money, so that he can help his poor parents, but the ethics of professional conduct says that life of the stakeholders should never be risked.

• The Dignity and Rights of Stakeholders

The stakeholders in this case are the players, who are being supplied with banned peptide Thymosin beta 4, which is a performance enhancing drug, but can result in severe health issue in long term. The use of peptide Thymosin beta 4 is banned by WADA for the players. Still, this drug is being supplied to the players and risking their health. The players are not able to refuse the banned drug, as due to their contract they are not able to deny medication to coaching team. The use of performance enhancing drugs have increased in sports and resulting in to abuse for the players (Greenfield & West, 2012). In the past couple of decades the use of such drugs has relatively increased, but the illegal thing was not just the use of the drugs, but the bigger threat was that athletes are receiving these drugs from their sports trainers and physicians (Moran, 2014). Thus, use of performance enhancement drugs has become an ethical and legal problem for modern sports organizations and athletes. Morna (2014), also states that athletes, who are exposed to drug abuse, are not aware of the potential risks associated with drugs and rely on their coaches and trainers. Many studies have provided the evidence based study about the adverse effect of performance enhancing drugs, which may increase the performance but increase internal health risks too (Sagoe et al, 2016). Such exposure to drugs is a legal issue, which challenges the dignity and rights of players, as players fail to protect their health.

• Healthcare Ethics

The Australian government has defined the Fundamental duties for an exercise and sports science professionals. According to these principles, every professional working in sports science must always act in the best interest of their recipient (Sagoe et al, 2016). The service delivery as a sports physiotherapist, or a sports scientist should be done ethically and diligently (Elbe et al, 2012). The healthcare professionals should always work in accordance to professional code of conduct and code of ethics. According to the report of Exercise& Sports Science Australia, “the service delivery should be based upon the best scientific information and professional practice currently available” (Code of Professional Conduct and Ethical Practice, 2014, p. 8) and should always “respect the collaborative nature of comprehensive health and sports medicine and respect the opinions, perspective and expertise of other health care professionals and athlete management” (p. 9). However, according to the case study these principles are violated, as professional practice done by the sports scientists is not based on professional practice, nor collaboration have been defined among the health care professionals (among sports physiotherapists and sports scientist). The sports scientist must also be aware of the relevant laws and government regulations, such as Criminal laws, Protection laws, Laws pertaining to the use of illegal substances and drugs in sports and Work Health and Safety Laws (Code of Professional Conduct and Ethical Practice, 2014, p. 9). However, according to the case study sports scientists violated all these laws. If Kamil also accepts the offer of money, than he will be held responsible for violating the professional code of conduct.

• Code of Ethics and Code of Professional Conduct

Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA) has defined various principles and value statements for the professional code of conduct. It a healthcare professional do not work in accordance with these principles than he must be charged for violating the codes. The first value statement of the code of conduct focuses on respecting the rights, needs and dignity of the client that are being violated in the case study. Physiotherapists must work in accordance to law and regulations. It is the responsibility of the physical therapists to establish respectful relationships with clients and should inform the client about benefit and risks associated with interventions or medications (Testoni et al, 2013)Testoni et al, 2013). The healthcare professionals should always make informed decision making and should receive the consent of the client. But, according to the case study, players have not provided their personal consent and are bound to take banned drug as suggested by their coach and sports scientist. Healthcare professional should always be respectful and honest with their clients. The clients should be informed about the risks of medication or intervention. According to APA code of conduct physical therapists “shall have a full understanding of the laws and regulations relevant to physiotherapy in Australia” (APA Code of Conduct, 2008, p. 3). All the aspects of physiotherapy must include risk and safety management. The ethical practice opf the Sports Science professionals have been drawn from National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) of Australia, which states that professionals should respect and protect the clients and should always maintain integrity and honesty. Informed consent related to medication and treatment is the core of healthcare practice in Australia. Right to informed consent was also violated in the case scenario.

Legal and Ethical Resolution

There are many legal and ethical issue associated with the given case scenario. The two healthcare professionals associated with the case are physical therapists and sports scientist. The Australian government has set many principles of professional code of conduct and ethical practice in sports. The healthcare professionals must value these principles to provide quality care with honesty, integrity and respect (Elbe et al, 2012). The major ethical dilemma associated with the case scenario is for the physical therapist, who is stuck between the personal and moral choice. The ethical issue associated with the stakeholders (players) is the issue of autonomy, beneficence and non-maleficence. Ethical principle of Autonomy states that every individual has the right to self determine the course of action and make independent decision (Testoni et al, 2013). However, players are not allowed for decision making about using banned performance enhancing drug. This may pose the legal issue of violating the right to personal safety of players (Sagoe et al, 2016). The ethical theory of non-maleficence, states that healthcare professionals must avoid causing any injury or suffering to the client. The healthcare professionals take this oath to avoid any kind of risk with health of clients. The third ethical theory is of beneficence that states every healthcare professional must do good to their clients (Sanders, Blackburn & Boucher, 2013). To resolve the legal and ethical dilemma in the case scenario, Kamil must report the case to the Australian Anti-Doping Authority. This authority provides the world anti-doping code and anyone involved in violation of anti-doping law are held through this authority (Tamburrini, & Tännsjö, 2013). Kamil can provide the evidences to the authority. Understanding the underlying values of the professional code of conduct and ethical practice, an individual must respect morals. In order to avoid ethical dilemma, the healthcare professionals must remember the theories of ethical behavior and professional code of conduct. It is also important to respect the right to personal health of the players.

Conclusion

Health care professionals have the responsibility of providing quality care with respect and ethical consideration. The role of healthcare professionals has been very significant in sports as well. The essay is based on the case scenario of Kamil Samra, who is a sports physiotherapist at AFL club. He is also a musculoskeletal specialist. He is very friendly with the players at the club and through those players he came to know about the illegal practice of banned drug use. The coach and sports scientist of the club supply banned peptide Thymosin beta-4 to players. The players are not aware of the long term risks of this peptide. The essay reviewed various legal and ethical issues associated with the case and also provides legal and ethical resolution for this problem. The essay also discussed various principles related to ethical health care practice.