Patient Vales and Narratives

Question 1

What is the importance of a patient’s narrative and its role in ethical decision making?

Answer 1

If patients narrative is not heart then possibility of diagnostic and theraputic errors increases. The likelihood of personal connections via shared experiences diminishes, empathetic opportunities are missed and patients may not feel understood or cared for.

Question 2

Describe the role of narrative ethics?

Answer 2

Centres ethical dilemma in the patients life and states that to do what is right and good for someone requires a reliable understanding of what’s best for that person in context of their life.

Question 3

Name the 4 key attributes of care which must be maintained, whatever one’s values, as defined by GMC

Answer 3

• Must act in accordance with relevant legislation.
• Must not treat patients unfairly
• Must not deny patients access to appropriate service or care.
• Must not cause patients distress.

Question 4

What are the limits of concienous objection outlined by the GMC

Answer 4

As long as this not not result in direct or indirect discrimination against or harassment of individual patients or groups of patients.

Question 5

What areas does the BMA support conscientious objection?

Answer 5

Abortion, fertility treatment and withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment. May request others but these are only ones that are legally protected

Question 6

What were the key points from the Janaway case?

Answer 6

Receptionist conscientiously objected to writing a referral letter for an abortion. She appealed for this at several levels but was denied because you could only object to the procedure itself, not surrounding care.

Question 7

Explain the key points of the Ewida case?

Answer 7

Ewida refused to remove or cover her cross so British airways sent her home without pay. She then claimed unlawful discrimination and sought compensation.

Question 8

why medical students have different guidelines on conscientious objection to medical doctors

Answer 8

As a medical student you have the right to hold a conscientious objection but you have to meet the GMC’s outcome for graduates and cannot be exempt from these.

Question 9

State 4 reasons why some argue that conscientious objection should not be allowed in medical practice

Answer 9

• Inefficiency and inequity,
• Inconsistency,
• Commitments of a doctor,
• Discrimination,