NHS FPX 4000 Assessment 3 Applying Ethical Principles

NHS-FPX 4000 Developing a Health Care Perspective

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Applying Ethical Principles

Healthcare organizations worldwide deal with various ethical issues. These difficulties range from resource allocation quandaries to ensuring fair access to care, all of which necessitate the use of ethical principles. Ethical dilemmas are one of the issues of ethical principles, in which individuals face conflicting moral principles, making decisions difficult with no clear right or wrong choice. One of the similar case studies is discussed in this assessment. 

The Ethical Case Study – To Vaccinate, or Not?

In this case study, Anna, a newborn at Community Hospital, became the center of an ethical dilemma. Her parents, Jenna and Chris Smith, have decided not to vaccinate their daughter. They quoted the concerns they learned from internet mother blogs about vaccine hazards, including a potential link to autism. Dr. Angela Kerr, Anna’s pediatrician, promotes vaccination, highlighting its proven benefits in preventing disease and protecting public health. Dr. Kerr responds to the Smiths’ worries with scientific facts, highlighting vaccine success in lowering child mortality and disproving the autism-vaccine link.

She also mentions vaccine safety monitoring methods such as the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) to comfort the Smiths. Dr. Kerr also discusses herd immunity, highlighting its role in protecting susceptible individuals. Despite her efforts, the Smiths maintained their decision not to vaccinate Anna, presenting a complex ethical dilemma balancing parental autonomy, patient benefits, and public health concerns. It is assumed in this scenario that both sides prioritize their interests while relying on different sources of information and ethical principles, resulting in an ongoing ethical conflict requiring immediate and ethically sound solutions (Capella University, 2023).

Assessment of Facts from the Case Study

The case study’s outcome, revolves around Dr. Kerr’s ethical predicament. She faces a challenging decision, balancing medical expertise with the parents’ preferences. The contentious issue of childhood immunizations, frequently encountered in healthcare settings, arises when parents are hesitant to vaccinate their children, and this stance contradicts established medical research. Vital facts analyzed within the case study include parental vaccine refusal, the availability of misinformation from unreliable online sources, and compelling medical research advocating for vaccination benefits.

Parental Refusal Due to Harmful Effect of Vaccination

The case study showed that the Smiths strongly reject vaccination due to safety concerns that vaccine risks overcome the benefits. They cite increasing autism rates as proof. A study by Khattak et al. (2021) reports vaccine hesitancy as a global issue in more than 90% of countries. In Romania, 11.7% of parents refuse vaccination for their children, while in countries like the UK and USA, the rate has reached 30%.

NHS FPX 4000 Assessment 3 Applying Ethical Principles

Further in the study, it is mentioned that the World Health Organization (WHO) has designated vaccination refusal as one of the top ten global hazards to public health in 2019 (Khattak et al., 2021). Another study by Nurmi et al. (2021) showed that childhood vaccine refusal is driven by concerns over vaccine risks, distrust in healthcare authorities, and reliance on alternative health practices. 

Misinformation About Vaccines

The case study revealed that Smith’s decision is heavily influenced by unverified blogs that spread vaccination disinformation. A study by Larson et al. (2020) highlights the role of social media in polarizing opinions, particularly in individuals’ health-related decisions. This research provides empirical evidence demonstrating misinformation’s substantial influence on Personal health choices. Moreover, it sheds light on the complex ethical challenges healthcare providers face as they strive to advocate for evidence-based practices amid these information dynamics.

Positive Impacts of Vaccines

In the case study, it is presented that Dr. Kerr discussed the advantages of vaccinations, with a specific focus on Measles and Haemophilus Influenzae illnesses. The research unveiled significant discrepancies in vaccination rates, with measles demonstrating relatively high acceptance compared to other vaccines, such as anti-pneumococcal. The study highlights the impact of compulsory vaccination laws on improving coverage and