Professional Accountability Discussion Paper (nursing) Essay

Professional Accountability Discussion Paper (nursing) - Essay Example This discussion is about the professional accountability of persons engaged in the medical profession. Due to the advancements in the medical technology, today doctors are able to offer treatments that cure even the very complicated conditions. People with potentially life threatening conditions are able to prolong their lives due to the remarkable improvements in the treatments. But here doctors are faced with an important issue of explaining to the patient the kind of treatment to be administered, the possible results, side effects that may occur and get the consent of the patient. Obtaining the consent of the patient is very essential to commence any kind of treatment. Patient autonomy which means the right of the patient who is in a sound mental capacity to take the decision whether to acceptor refuse the treatment is given utmost importance. If the patient is not in a state of mind to give his consent, efforts should be made to find out the views expressed by him earlier in this regard or the consent of the closest family member should be obtained. When neither could be done, that situation put doctors in a fix. They land in an ethical dilemma as to whether to save the life of the patient or to respect his own decision even if it would lead him to his end of life. The following problem deals with such a kind. You are working in a casualty department of a large hospital. An accident victim is rushed in one evening. He is conscious, but badly injured and desperately in need a blood transfusion. However, he turns out to have religious principles that forbid the exchange of blood. You explain the situation to him, including the very really threat to his survival if he does not have a transfusion. He clearly understands exactly what you are telling him, but still refuses to accept a transfusion, and asks you to do what you can by other means. He