Category / Case Studies / Medical Ethics / Patient/Physician Relationship
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![A calculator with money and a hospital room in the background.]()
Case Study – Without the Large Profit Margin, Katy Could Easily Afford Her Medication
Case Study – Without the Large Profit Margin, Katy Could Easily Afford Her Medication. Bioethics case study on Patient/Physician Relationship.
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![A woman's face showing stress.]()
Case Study – Moral Culpability for Respecting Patients’ Autonomy
This patient has a long history of IV drug abuse but communicates to the health team that his recent hospitalization has brought some clarity in that regard, and he vows to “give up doing drugs.”
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![ICU monitor.]()
Case Study –Too little, too late… almost
Angelie is tired and losing motivation. She feels hopeless and is struggling to find the passion that led her to the nursing profession in the first place. She ponders quitting, doing something else with less stress, whether or not the pay is better.
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Case Study – Trying to Honor Johnny’s Wishes
“I know I’m not doing well and that my time here is limited. So, I want you to promise me that you’ll keep me alive long enough to touch my oldest daughter’s hand and say goodbye.” Carson shakes his hand, with every intention to keep this promise.
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![Nurse looking distressed.]()
Case Study – Moral Dimensions of Medical Negligence
I should have been paying more attention. Should have insisted on either helping Lyle or finding a CNA to do so. I feel so bad. If Lyle doesn’t recover, if he dies . . . . Oh, my God. Did I kill him?” John is distraught.
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![Person holding up their hand to the camera with the word "no" written on it.]()
Case Study – It’s been prescribed. She won’t take it. The Ethics of Non-Adherence
. . .her PCP notes that Peggy was prescribed blood pressure medication several years ago, which she has not been taking despite her family’s constant pleas.
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![A portrait of a young boy.]()
Case Study – Vaccinating Children
Anwar is a five-year old child who is eligible to get a recommended COVID vaccine recently approved for children 5-11 years. He is at the pediatrician’s office with his parents.
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![Angry older man.]()
Case Study – The Noncompliant or Nonadherent Patient
Rick is a 78-year-old male patient, suffering from ESRD, among other ailments. Rick is known to the hospital staff as being a “problem patient.” He has a history of noncompliance and behavioral issues, including being verbally abusive to family and staff.
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![A close up of a man with a tear coming from his eye.]()
Case Study –God Wants Me to Suffer. Hospital Care and Religious Beliefs
Landon is a 47-year-old father of two who has a history of alcohol abuse but has been sober for over a year. He was admitted from the emergency department, where he presented earlier this morning with acute abdominal pain. He was diagnosed with pancreatitis and biliary colic, indicating the need for a cholecystectomy (a laparoscopic procedure to remove the gallbladder to prevent gall stones, pain and infection).
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![Man appearing isolated.]()
Case Study – Go Home and Die Alone. Social Isolation
Riley is a 42-year-old who identifies as male. He was admitted to the hospital for shortness of breath and kidney complications. Riley is found to be in acute kidney failure, with his nephrologist recommending dialysis. Riley does have decision-making capacity but does not have any family or surrogate decision maker.
