Lecture 2

• Relationship with patient, surgeon, physician, nurse, social workers

and co-workers.
 bioethics: Relationship with patient, surgeon, physician, nurse, social
workers and co-workers

• Bioethics plays a crucial role in defining the relationships between various

stakeholders in the healthcare setting, including patients, surgeons,

physicians, nurses, social workers, and co-workers.

 Relationship with Patients:
• Patient autonomy: Bioethics emphasizes the principle of respect for
patient autonomy, which means that patients have the right to make their
own decisions regarding their healthcare. This involves providing patients
with all relevant information about their condition, treatment options, and
potential risks and benefits, and respecting their decisions even if they
differ from the healthcare provider's recommendations.
 Cont..
• Informed consent: Bioethical principles require healthcare professionals
to obtain informed consent from patients before performing any medical
intervention or treatment. This involves ensuring that patients understand
the nature of the proposed treatment, its risks and benefits, alternative
options, and potential consequences.
 Cont..
• Confidentiality: Bioethics also mandates the protection of patient
confidentiality, ensuring that sensitive medical information is not
disclosed without the patient's consent, except in cases where disclosure is
necessary to prevent harm or comply with legal requirements.
 Relationship with Surgeons:
• Surgeons are specialized healthcare professionals responsible for
performing surgical procedures to diagnose, treat, or cure various medical
conditions. The relationship between surgeons and other healthcare
professionals, as well as with patients, is influenced by bioethical
principles:
 Cont..
• Collaboration and Teamwork: Surgeons often work closely with
physicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals in multidisciplinary
teams. Bioethics emphasizes the importance of collaboration and
teamwork to ensure the best possible outcomes for patients. Surgeons
must communicate effectively with their colleagues, share information,
and engage in shared decision-making processes.
 Cont..
• Patient-Centered Care: Bioethics places a strong emphasis on patient-
centered care, which involves considering the patient's preferences,
values, and goals when making medical decisions. Surgeons should
engage with patients in discussions about their treatment options,
providing them with information about the risks and benefits of surgery,
as well as any alternative treatments. Respecting patient autonomy and
ensuring informed consent are central to the ethical practice of surgery.
 Cont..
• Professionalism and Ethics: Surgeons are held to high ethical standards
in their practice. Bioethics guides surgeons in maintaining
professionalism, honesty, integrity, and accountability in their interactions
with patients, colleagues, and other stakeholders. Surgeons must prioritize
patient safety, minimize harm, and adhere to ethical principles such as
beneficence (doing good) and non-maleficence (avoiding harm).
 Relationship with Physicians:
• Physicians, including general practitioners, specialists, and medical
doctors, are responsible for diagnosing, treating, and managing patients'
medical conditions. The relationship between physicians and other
healthcare professionals is crucial for delivering comprehensive and
coordinated care:
 Cont..
• Shared Decision-Making: Bioethics emphasizes the importance of shared
decision-making between physicians and patients. Physicians should
involve patients in discussions about their healthcare options, ensuring
that patients understand their diagnoses, treatment plans, and potential
outcomes. This collaborative approach respects patient autonomy and
promotes patient-centered care.
 Cont..
• Communication and Collaboration: Physicians collaborate with
surgeons, nurses, and other healthcare professionals to ensure that patients
receive holistic care. Effective communication, mutual respect, and
teamwork are essential for coordinating care across different specialties
and disciplines. Bioethics encourages physicians to engage in
interdisciplinary collaboration, recognizing the expertise and contributions
of all members of the healthcare team.
 Cont..
• Ethical Dilemmas and Conflicts: Physicians may encounter ethical
dilemmas or conflicts in their practice, such as balancing the principles of
beneficence and autonomy or navigating end-of-life care decisions.
Bioethics provides a framework for ethical decision-making, helping
physicians navigate complex situations while upholding ethical principles
and respecting patients' rights and preferences.
 Relationship with Nurses:

• Nurses play a critical role in patient care, providing direct bedside care,
administering medications, monitoring patients' conditions, and
advocating for their well-being. The relationship between nurses and other
healthcare professionals is essential for ensuring safe and effective patient
care:
 Cont..
• Collaboration and Communication: Nurses collaborate with surgeons,
physicians, and other healthcare professionals to deliver comprehensive
care to patients. Effective communication, mutual respect, and teamwork
are essential for promoting positive patient outcomes and optimizing the
quality of care. Bioethics emphasizes the importance of interdisciplinary
collaboration, recognizing the unique contributions of nurses to the
healthcare team.
 Cont..
• Patient Advocacy: Nurses often serve as advocates for patients, ensuring
that their voices are heard and their rights are respected. Bioethics
supports nurses in advocating for the best interests of their patients,
including promoting informed decision-making, respecting patient
autonomy, and addressing patients' physical, emotional, and psychosocial
needs.
 Cont..
• Ethical Practice: Nurses are guided by ethical principles in their practice,
including respect for patient autonomy, beneficence, and non-maleficence.
Bioethics helps nurses navigate ethical dilemmas and challenges, such as
ensuring patient confidentiality, providing culturally sensitive care, and
promoting social justice and equity in healthcare delivery.
 Relationship with Social Workers:
• Holistic Care: Bioethics recognizes that healthcare extends beyond
medical treatment to encompass social, emotional, and psychological
well-being. Social workers play a crucial role in addressing the social
determinants of health, providing support to patients and their families,
and advocating for social justice and equity in healthcare.
 Cont..
• Collaboration and Coordination: Interdisciplinary collaboration
between healthcare professionals and social workers is essential for
delivering comprehensive care. Bioethics promotes collaboration by
encouraging information-sharing, mutual respect, and effective
communication between healthcare teams and social workers.
 Relationship with Co-workers:
• Respect and Professionalism: Bioethics underscores the importance of
mutual respect, professionalism, and collegiality among co-workers in the
healthcare setting. Treating colleagues with dignity and courtesy, valuing
their expertise and contributions, and fostering a supportive work
environment are essential for maintaining ethical relationships in the
workplace
 Cont..
• Ethical Decision-Making: Ethical dilemmas and conflicts may arise
between co-workers in the course of patient care. Bioethics provides a
framework for addressing these challenges through open communication,
ethical reflection, and collaborative problem-solving. This involves
respecting differing viewpoints, considering the interests of patients, and
upholding ethical principles in decision-making processes.
 Summary
• By adhering to the principles of bioethics in their relationships with
patients, colleagues, and other healthcare professionals, individuals can
ensure that ethical considerations remain at the forefront of healthcare
delivery, promoting patient-centered care, professionalism, and mutual
respect within the healthcare team.