Contemporary Ethical Issues In Health Care Analysis
Understanding Contemporary Moral Issues from a Catholic Perspective
‘Withdrawal of life-sustaining medical treatment’.
“And the dust goes back to the earth as it was, and the spirit goes back to God who gave it”.
(Ecclesiastes 12:7).
In order for me to comprehend and discuss the moral issue of withdrawal of life-sustaining medical treatment from a Catholic perspective, I needed to have an understanding of what Bioethics refers to. It is a shared reflective analysis and discussion of ethical issues in health care, health science, and health policies. It engages dialogue and thought from our society comprising of doctors, patients, scientists, politicians and the general public (What is Bioethics? 2014). Using Bioethics as a framework …show more content…
This framework would also take into account what legal definitions need to be considered in terms of unwanted treatment versus the decision of suicide, it will identify what the core values involving the patient are, who are the other relevant people involved and also the duty of care that affects the hospital staff, whilst still protecting the individual’s autonomy (Euthanasia law is no cure-all for Dutch doctors, 2009). What is interesting to note, is that the Catholic perspective is that life should not be preserved at all costs if it does not take into account the dignity of the individual and their decision on whether they wish to take part with treatment and whether they have been given the opportunity to think and discuss if the means of treatment is morally disproportionate, does not offer any reasonable therapeutic benefit, is overly burdensome or, in some circumstances, not readily available. Catholic moral rationale believes that God has given us intelligence to think things through, yet the Church will never advocate the taking of a human life (Dr Joe Parkinson). On the other hand, the law takes the view that duty of care is higher than the individual’s autonomy. These laws impact on carers and hospital staff alike, as in the case of Christian Rossiter, a 49 year old man who was left quadriplegic after being hit by a car. A Western Australian landmark court decision ruled in favour of Mr. Rossiter, stating that a patient had the right to refuse treatment and to choose not to receive nutrition and hydration and any person or care group providing palliative care would not be criminally responsible (Physician-assisted suicide the same as euthanasia? 2014).To safeguard the autonomy of the person, the Catholic Church endorses the use of Advanced Care Plans and appointment of an Enduring Guardian to ensure that the patient is
‘Withdrawal of life-sustaining medical treatment’.
“And the dust goes back to the earth as it was, and the spirit goes back to God who gave it”.
(Ecclesiastes 12:7).
In order for me to comprehend and discuss the moral issue of withdrawal of life-sustaining medical treatment from a Catholic perspective, I needed to have an understanding of what Bioethics refers to. It is a shared reflective analysis and discussion of ethical issues in health care, health science, and health policies. It engages dialogue and thought from our society comprising of doctors, patients, scientists, politicians and the general public (What is Bioethics? 2014). Using Bioethics as a framework …show more content…
This framework would also take into account what legal definitions need to be considered in terms of unwanted treatment versus the decision of suicide, it will identify what the core values involving the patient are, who are the other relevant people involved and also the duty of care that affects the hospital staff, whilst still protecting the individual’s autonomy (Euthanasia law is no cure-all for Dutch doctors, 2009). What is interesting to note, is that the Catholic perspective is that life should not be preserved at all costs if it does not take into account the dignity of the individual and their decision on whether they wish to take part with treatment and whether they have been given the opportunity to think and discuss if the means of treatment is morally disproportionate, does not offer any reasonable therapeutic benefit, is overly burdensome or, in some circumstances, not readily available. Catholic moral rationale believes that God has given us intelligence to think things through, yet the Church will never advocate the taking of a human life (Dr Joe Parkinson). On the other hand, the law takes the view that duty of care is higher than the individual’s autonomy. These laws impact on carers and hospital staff alike, as in the case of Christian Rossiter, a 49 year old man who was left quadriplegic after being hit by a car. A Western Australian landmark court decision ruled in favour of Mr. Rossiter, stating that a patient had the right to refuse treatment and to choose not to receive nutrition and hydration and any person or care group providing palliative care would not be criminally responsible (Physician-assisted suicide the same as euthanasia? 2014).To safeguard the autonomy of the person, the Catholic Church endorses the use of Advanced Care Plans and appointment of an Enduring Guardian to ensure that the patient is