Jasmine Taylor
Journal IV
November 26, 2014 This week our goal was to observe different ethical dilemmas in the healthcare setting. The fact of the matter is, there are so many contradicting and controversial cases among patients seeking healthcare, and even those who aren’t seeking any. In post conference, we discussed being treated against ones will or when to intervene and treat because it’s a doctor’ or nurse’s duty. There are so many times when we are forced to make medical or nursing decisions because we think that it is what’s best for the patient; but after our post conference discussion, I have to ask myself, are we making the right decision for patients by making that decision for them? Granted, there are some special or unusual cases, but how do we really know what we chose to do is really what the patient wants and if that is best for that patient. I can see some of these scenarios just by hearing the stories of some of the patients in the acute care setting. There are patients who have either been placed in NBC against their will, or are being medicated against their will. Granted, most of the population in NBC being treated and medicated is for their own good and has had a positive effect, but it makes you wonder, how many patients are being overmedicated and under evaluated and under treated in the healthcare community. Some doctors and licensed prescribers are so quick so diagnose and prescribe their patients medications that may not really be treating the problem in the first place.
During my experiences at clinicals, I have come across quite a few patients with schizophrenia, depression, and anxiety. The patient that has had the greatest impact on me had both schizophrenia and depression. He was an ex-military man who suffered from PTSD, depression, schizophrenia, and suicide ideation. Some of his diagnosis were related to his military experiences, and others from his own personal experience. While at war, he found out his mother had died on his birthday because of that, he tried to kill himself numerous times. At the time of the interview, I was so in shock, but I had to remember to keep my composure and to remain professional with the patient. While listening to his story, I remember thinking how sad and how depressing this story was, and in some ways, I could completely understand where his emotions came from. Looking back on that situation, I think that it was handled very well and that the communication was therapeutic for the most part, but I do remember thinking that some of the statements I made probably weren’t the best. For example, there were times when I would ask questions just to keep the conversation going instead of using silence or really listening and analyzing what had just been said. In reference to self-awareness: when hearing the client’s stories, sometimes it is so easy to stop being a nurse and start communicating with a client as if they are a friend or associate etc. Sometimes it is so easy to think “I would feel that way to if this situation or that event happened to me,” but we as healthcare