Members of the medical profession are required to adhere to a strict code of ethical conduct. Among other things, the code stipulates the need for practitioners to safeguard patient wellbeing at all costs. It is true that this code was developed primarily for practitioners in the healthcare industry. However, the code can be applied to a wide range of situations. Essentially, any individual who is responsible for others would benefit from the code. A commanding officer who is mandated with the role of safeguarding the wellbeing of his crew would particularly benefit by applying the code to moral dilemmas encountered. In the case in this assignment, the commanding officer needs to approve the sedation of the seaman. This is the best course of action as it is in line with medical ethics. Furthermore, the decision is a fulfilment of the mandate of practitioners as spelt out in the attorney’s code of conduct.
Summary of Case
The case of the Commanding Officer (CO) required to render a decision represents the moral dilemmas that leaders face. In this case, the needs to decide whether to sedate the injured seaman or approve his transfer to a facility that is better equipped to attend to his injury. What makes the situation that the CO faces a dilemma is the fact that this situation is not ideal. One, the weather conditions are bad and it is too dark to fly the injured seaman safely. Moreover, the seaman lacks the experience and training that would be needed to airlift him. Furthermore, the seaman is in unbearable pain that is expected to only get worse. The CO is confronted with a difficult situation; he needs to decide whether to have the seaman airlifted and risk the devastating consequences of poor weather, or have him sedated. Sedating the seaman is also risky since a clear understanding of his situation cannot be gained owing to the lack of equipment and personnel. Codes of ethics governing the conduct of legal and medical professionals can shed light on the decision that the CO should take.
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Impacts of Decision
It has been recommended that the CO should authorize the sedation of the seaman. This recommendation is mostly informed by medical and legal ethical principles. The American Medical Association (AMA) has developed a code which contains provisions regarding the proper conduct of medical practitioners. Among other things, the code challenges the practitioners to prioritize patient wellbeing at all times (“AMA Code of Medical”, n.d). Moreover, this code acknowledges the role that compassion and respect plays in the delivery of care. Another issue that the code addresses is the need for physicians to understand that they have a responsibility to their patients and that they need to take all necessary steps to ensure that all patients enjoy adequate access to quality care (“AMA Code of Medical”, n.d). All these provisions apply to the case of the CO. The CO needs to understand that he is responsible for the wellbeing of the injured seaman. Additionally, the CO has the mandate to institute measures that promote the welfare of all his crew. It is true that the AMA code of ethics does not anticipate and provide for situations where practitioners are forced to expose patients to some harm in order to deliver some greater benefit. However, the code remains relevant. Sedating the seaman is the best decision because it will relieve him of pain. This decision is also in line with the AMA code of ethics since it will enable the CO to demonstrate his dedication to his mandate and the wellbeing of his crew.
Sedating the seaman is undoubtedly the best decision. However, it is not the only option available to the CO. The CO could choose to have the seaman airlifted so that he may receive better treatment. This decision is riddled with a number of risks. One, it is understood that darkness is fast approaching and could introduce further risks into the evacuation of the seaman. One, weather conditions are expected to become worse. If the CO opts to have the seaman airlifted, he will be betraying his mandate. As already noted, the CO has an obligation to secure the wellbeing of all crew, including the seaman. Therefore, the fact that the alternative is defined by unacceptable risks makes the decision to sedate the seaman, the best and most viable course of action.
As already noted, the legal profession is also guided by a code of ethics whose provisions apply to the case of the CO. One of the main provisions of this code is that attorneys should remain faithful to their clients at all times (“The Attorney’s Code”, n.d). Essentially, this provision means that in all their undertakings, legal practitioners need to insulate their clients against harm. As regards the case of the CO, this provision underscores the need for the CO to be guided by the seaman’s best interests when making decisions. It is the case that the seaman would desire to be treated in a fully-equipped facility with competent personnel. However, this desire cannot be met since the equipment and the personnel is lacking. The CO is left with sedating the seaman as the only option that allows him to fulfil his obligations as provided under the attorney’s code of ethics.
In analyzing the dilemma that the CO faces, it is vital to consider the impacts of his decision on various stakeholders. The seaman is the main party who is affected by the decision. It is true that the seaman will suffer some harm as a result of the decision. He will be unable to obtain the high quality care that he desires. However, by being sedated, the seaman will be shielded against needless pain and anguish. The CO is also affected by his decision. He will be insulated against any legal action for failing to take action to prevent further harm from coming to the seaman. Another impact of the decision is that it will present the CO as a capable leader who prioritizes the wellbeing of his crew. Overall, the CO’s situation shows the complex issues that leaders face. To navigate these issues, the leaders need to turn to codes of ethics for direction and insight.
References
AMA code of ethics. (n.d). American Medical Association. Retrieved August 13, 2018 from
https://www.ama-assn.org/sites/default/files/media-browser/principles-of-medical-ethics.pdf
The attorneys’ code of ethics. (n.d). Retrieved August 13, 2018 from
https://www.ccbe.eu/fileadmin/speciality_distribution/public/documents/National_Regulations/DEON_National_CoC/EN_Croatia_The_Attorneys_Code_of_Ethics.pdf
