In other words, this principle requires minimizing the negative outcomes of treatment and maximizing its positive results. Copyright 2023 Samantha May C. vehicle safety. Furthermore, capacity can fluctuate, so clinicians must favour capacity assessments made at each attendance over capacity assumptions because of vulnerability or previous dealings with the patient. The matter is that some spontaneous solutions or actions can negatively influence the patients and fail in the achievement of the desirable results (Beauchamp & Childress, 2008). In this case, both ethical and legal principles are important. The legal principle of capacity is closely aligned with the ethical principle of autonomy as both relate to the independence and freedom that a person can exercise over their own actions and decisions. This is a part of and more. The ethical principle of respect for the patients autonomy presupposes the non-interference in the freedom of their decisions and choices (Steer, 2007). Therefore, paramedicine practitioners should take all measures to respect the privacy of patients and satisfy their demand for confidentiality. Although provider judgment plays a large role in the resolution of conflicts at the scene, it is important to establish protocols and policies, when possible, to address these high-risk and complex situations. Our researchers and research supervisors undertake their studies within a wide range of theoretical frameworks and models relating to the development of policy and practice that takes account of: lived experiences of health and social issues, health and social care use, and, service delivery by the nursing, midwifery and paramedic professions . This article addresses these questions by exploring the relationship between healthcare ethics, health law and evidence-based practice in paramedicine. However, ethical issues relating to vulnerability and the treatment of children extend well beyond Gillick competence. Ethical issues in medical malpractice - PubMed However, paramedics have no powers under the MHA (1983), and can have difficulties accessing further support from mental health services (Hawley et al, 2011). The researchers have outlined four main ethical principles, which are important for consideration in paramedicine. PROFESSIONALISM Professionalism in UK paramedic practice Prof Malcolm Paramedics must deliver appropriate clinical care within the boundaries of the law, clinical guidelines and evidence-based standards. In such circumstances, clinicians have the added consideration of not only treating the patient but also ensuring the other vulnerable party is protected. Their vulnerability may impede their autonomy, which can then affect their ability to self-advocate. Introduction. There are a numbers of texts in other areas, such as nursing and medicine, but not exclusively in relation to paramedics. Principlism in paramedicine: An examination of applied healthcare ethics Foundations for paramedic practice: a theoretical perspective - Amazon The practitioners should have the required level of education and work experience to deal with the patients in the most effective and quality manner. Once an allegation is made, the HPC will arrange for it to be reviewed by paramedics, other allied health professionals, and, most importantly, members of the public, to determine if To get things started, we give a rundown of the most recent research on ethical issues in sports medicine. Non-maleficence is the sister to beneficence and is often considered as an inseparable pillar of ethics. Confidentiality, capacity and consent. For specific vulnerable groupssuch as children, older people, those with mental illness and persons with a disabilitythere are some consistent ethical considerations for clinicians. Sign up to Journal of Paramedic Practices regular newsletters and keep up-to-date with the very latest clinical research and CPD we publish each month. After that, we provide a few recommendations that can assist healthcare professionals in improving their capacity for making ethical decisions. This principle refers to both physical and mental damage, which can be done to the clients. 122: 10 Researching paramedic clinical practice a practical guide. There were no obvious physical causes for John's behaviour at this stage. The paramedics and patients views on treatments may vary as well as moral and legal explanations of different procedures are different according to the cultural, religious, and social backgrounds. Medical Ethics: Non-Maleficence - The Medic Portal This article addresses these questions by exploring the relationship between healthcare ethics, health law and evidence-based practice in paramedicine. Chapter 4: Medical/Legal and Ethical Issues (Post Test) - Quizlet In other words, the paramedicine practitioners should inform the patients about all the probable effects of treatment as well as explain its moral and ethical issues. Their vulnerability may impede their autonomy, which can then affect . Therefore, consideration of these effects is part of how they treat patients and make decisions. John's speech was also disordered; he regularly halted sentences mid-flow and appeared confused, completely losing fluidity and continuity of his passages. Emergency Medical Services (EMS) providers face many ethical issues while providing prehospital care to children and adults. The scientists regard those ethical principles as principles of respect, non-maleficence, beneficence, and justice (Beauchamp & Childress, 2008). EMT Chapter 1 Flashcards | Quizlet A progression of learning in terms of acting morally and ethically is necessary when nurses undergo training on both an undergraduate and a specialist level. Methods Should the MCA have been used, John would have been transported to an accident and emergency department, which may not be the most suited to deal with his condition (Morrisson-Rees et al, 2015; O'Hara et al, 2015), whereas the use of the MHA allowed him to be transported directly to a mental health unit. Paramedics must deliver appropriate clinical care within the boundaries of the law, clinical guidelines and evidence-based standards. While the ethical tenets apply to the moral aspect of practices, the legal ones help legally arrange them. The principles of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and the Mental Health Act 1983. Paramedics' decisions on patients' treatment will often impact others. Fitness to practise - Health and Care Professions Council After answering the questions, use the detailed answer explanations to learn why an answer was correct or incorrect. Should paramedics ever accept patients' refusal - BMC Medical Ethics Ethics, bioethics and legal issues in paramedic practice. Many with intellectual or communication disabilities are able to live independently in the community and make autonomous choices about their healthcare. As the paramedic role evolves, there is an opportunity to embed person-centred care in practice and to ensure that education equips paramedics . Interestingly, in some Australian states, paramedics have been granted powers under their MHA to detain mentally ill patients who require involuntary treatment (Parsons and O'Brien, 2011). This is the main reason that explains the prominence of the ethical issues in health care and the necessity to respond to them appropriately. It concerns the application of four principles: autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence and justice. From this standpoint, paramedics play a significant role in consideration of ethical issues and bear responsibility for the preservation of both legal and moral standards in every individual case of interaction with the patients. It is diffcult tp prove actions were performed if they are not included on the report. Overview This CPD module aims to outline, describe and explain some of the key ethical-legal issues in paramedic practice, and their relation to the concept of consent, a duty of care and negligence. Ethical issues are closely intertwined with legal aspects of care and this module will therefore consider the four ethical principles, focusing on the two key principles of autonomy and . In these complex cases with so many variables, it can sometimes be difficult to fit patients in-between the lines of any law, often meaning that when decisions are unclear, paramedics are forced to engage in a risk management strategy without the power or provision of involuntary sectioning (Palmer, 2011). The ethical principle of non-maleficence means that paramedicine practitioners should discuss the probable negative consequences of their decisions and prevent them in order not to harm the patients. Aircraft Accidents and Emergency Management, Live Ethical challenges in Emergency Medical Services - PubMed Such an approach preserves all ethical aspects of the paramedical profession since it shows respect to patients and reveals professional competence and help at once (Blaber, 2012). It appears that paramedics, emergency clinicians and student paramedics are using reflective practice as the learning tool of choice. A person is not to be treated as unable to make a decision merely because he makes an unwise decision. Cuts in public health and community services funding have decimated programs, leaving unmet health needs. While restraint and sedation may be an option for patient treatment, those options are invasive, contravene autonomy and can perpetuate mental health stigma. Thompson et al (2011) highlight that frequent callers (also known as frequent users) are known to clinicians because they regularly require paramedic support, usually as a result of a mental illness.