CAUTION! Some of the material for this course deals with sensitive and/or controversial matters. Read at your own disgretion.
This I Believe
Rights of patients and physicians
1. Patient autonomy (the right to decide for one's self), truth-telling, and confidentiality
It is extremely important for patients to have the right to make their own health care decisions. While not every health care provider has a secret agenda, some unfortunately value money over the well being of their patients. Confidentiality is equally important, but also a very delicate process that needs to be handled carefully, If a patient is strongly considering suicide or may be in a dangerous situation that could lead to harm, then the health care provider is responsible for stepping in and intervening in whatever ways they can. On the other hand, if a therapist were told the sexual orientation of a patient, that therapist under no circumstance could relay that information to outside parties. Many patients who have confided in their psychiatrist or therapist that they are LGBTQ+ then had said therapist tell their family without the patients consent, resulting in physical harm or abandonment of the patient.
2. Medical research ethics and informed consent
Health care providers in the present world need to understand that it’s alright to be blunt with your patients. Dancing around the issue or avoiding telling a patient the side effects of their treatment should be illegal. All it causes is more issues down the line because the patient was misinformed about the possible side effects of the medical plan they were following. Medical professions also need to understand that if a patient says “No” in a clear mindset, they need to stop pushing the issue. No means no, and it is unfortunate that the medical industry does not understand that basic fact.
Controls
3. Genetic control (refers to gene editing)
I have no strong opinion on whether genetic control is a good or bad thing. It has it’s ups and downs, but in reality I do not believe that we should be interfering with human genetics. Humanity have a tendency to meddle in places that we are not meant to be meddled with and have caused major problems. While, yes, this could help humanity in cutting out incurable diseases, isn’t it taking away what makes us humans? Deafness, down syndrome, and blindness are all considered to be disabilities, but individuals born with these traits don’t have lower qualities of life merely for having a different gene from the majority.
4. Reproductive control (egg and sperm donation, assisted reproductive techniques)
Not everyone is blessed to have properly working reproductive parts and it’s sad to see individuals who really want children not have the chance to. My own niece and nephew were born through artificial insemination. Giving the opportunity that these families may otherwise not have is a necessity in the modern world. Families that happen to carry recessive genes that can prove fatal such as Hutchinson’s disease can get a donor to lessen the chance of passing it down to their children.
1. Patient autonomy (the right to decide for one's self), truth-telling, and confidentiality
It is extremely important for patients to have the right to make their own health care decisions. While not every health care provider has a secret agenda, some unfortunately value money over the well being of their patients. Confidentiality is equally important, but also a very delicate process that needs to be handled carefully, If a patient is strongly considering suicide or may be in a dangerous situation that could lead to harm, then the health care provider is responsible for stepping in and intervening in whatever ways they can. On the other hand, if a therapist were told the sexual orientation of a patient, that therapist under no circumstance could relay that information to outside parties. Many patients who have confided in their psychiatrist or therapist that they are LGBTQ+ then had said therapist tell their family without the patients consent, resulting in physical harm or abandonment of the patient.
2. Medical research ethics and informed consent
Health care providers in the present world need to understand that it’s alright to be blunt with your patients. Dancing around the issue or avoiding telling a patient the side effects of their treatment should be illegal. All it causes is more issues down the line because the patient was misinformed about the possible side effects of the medical plan they were following. Medical professions also need to understand that if a patient says “No” in a clear mindset, they need to stop pushing the issue. No means no, and it is unfortunate that the medical industry does not understand that basic fact.
Controls
3. Genetic control (refers to gene editing)
I have no strong opinion on whether genetic control is a good or bad thing. It has it’s ups and downs, but in reality I do not believe that we should be interfering with human genetics. Humanity have a tendency to meddle in places that we are not meant to be meddled with and have caused major problems. While, yes, this could help humanity in cutting out incurable diseases, isn’t it taking away what makes us humans? Deafness, down syndrome, and blindness are all considered to be disabilities, but individuals born with these traits don’t have lower qualities of life merely for having a different gene from the majority.
4. Reproductive control (egg and sperm donation, assisted reproductive techniques)
Not everyone is blessed to have properly working reproductive parts and it’s sad to see individuals who really want children not have the chance to. My own niece and nephew were born through artificial insemination. Giving the opportunity that these families may otherwise not have is a necessity in the modern world. Families that happen to carry recessive genes that can prove fatal such as Hutchinson’s disease can get a donor to lessen the chance of passing it down to their children.
Terminations
5. Abortion This is going to sound insensitive, but a mother should keep their child to full term unless it was rape or if the pregnancy will end up killing the mother in the process. If an individual decides to open up their legs and not use a contraceptive beforehand, then they need to take responsibility for what they did. Not enough people want to be responsible for their actions and killing off a possible human life should not be a scapegoat. Adoption and foster systems are in place for those who may not be able to properly care for the child after it is born. It isn’t that hard to slip on some latex before hand or take a pill beforehand. |
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6. Treating or terminating impaired infants
My view of impaired is very different from what they healthcare system defines as impaired. Like I’ve said before, down syndrome or deafness does not diminish quality of life. However, if a child going to be born has a very low chance of surviving or will need intensive care that the family would not be to afford, then the option to terminate the pregnancy should be made available. If I knew my child was going to be a living vegetable for the rest of his or her life, then I would not go through with the pregnancy. That is unfair to put that child through that type of life.
My view of impaired is very different from what they healthcare system defines as impaired. Like I’ve said before, down syndrome or deafness does not diminish quality of life. However, if a child going to be born has a very low chance of surviving or will need intensive care that the family would not be to afford, then the option to terminate the pregnancy should be made available. If I knew my child was going to be a living vegetable for the rest of his or her life, then I would not go through with the pregnancy. That is unfair to put that child through that type of life.
7. Euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide
Having watched my mother slowly and painfully dying while I had to just sit by and watch, I would say that it would have been so much easier if she had the option to euthanasia. If we care enough about our beloved family pets do it so they won’t have to suffer, why is it alright for our own blood to go through torment? When a medical issue is getting in the way of a patient’s quality of life, physician-assisted suicide should be an option for them. It’s a harsh reality, but if ending a life before the true pain and suffering of an incurable disease starts, then who are we to deny them that mercy. The healthcare systems are there to help and ease the suffering of patients, so if ending it all is the only option it should be made available.
Having watched my mother slowly and painfully dying while I had to just sit by and watch, I would say that it would have been so much easier if she had the option to euthanasia. If we care enough about our beloved family pets do it so they won’t have to suffer, why is it alright for our own blood to go through torment? When a medical issue is getting in the way of a patient’s quality of life, physician-assisted suicide should be an option for them. It’s a harsh reality, but if ending a life before the true pain and suffering of an incurable disease starts, then who are we to deny them that mercy. The healthcare systems are there to help and ease the suffering of patients, so if ending it all is the only option it should be made available.
Resources
8. Organ transplants and scarce medical resources
Donating organs is what runs the United States medical system. Many of my family members have donated organs and I plan to do the same if the chance ever arises. If I so happen to die unexpectedly, then I would want what is left of body to help those who need it. As for scarce medical resources, that is the companies’ fault for running away with their greed. Medicine is expensive because it was made that way by CEOs and governments. For example, plasma businesses make millions of dollars a year from donors who get mere pennies in comparison. So, for the “scarcity” of medical resources, maybe some of that blood money should be going towards funding instead of into another rich person’s pocket.
9. Distributing health care (How it should be allocated based on age/status/ability to pay)
I know that socialized healthcare isn’t the greatest thing in the eyes of an average American, but to an extent it is true. Everyone is entitled to a basic form of medical treatment without having a price tag attached. However, if it is a purely optional or cosmetic form of medical surgery then it should have to be paid for y the individuals who want it. I don’t pay taxes for some Instagram influencer to get lip injects or breast fillers for pennies while there are struggling families out on the streets because of medical bills.
Challenges
10. Health care for women (unique challenges, responsibilities during pregnancy)
Women need to stop being undervalued just because of the genitalia they have between their legs. Health care needs to be provided for women without needed a massive pay wall. A mother should not have to pay $10,000+ just so she can birth her baby in the comfort of a hospital. Birth control pills should not be equivalent to a month of rent or a car payment. Making women choose between groceries for the week or a pill that balances their hormones so they can function normally is messed up. It seems that anytime the health care issues of a woman comes up, an added price tag is attached for simply having two X chromosomes.
11. Health care for minorities (inequalities in care, illegal immigrant health care)
Everyone deserves the same level of respect and quality in the care they receive, regardless of race, orientation, age, or ethnic background. Especially to those who may not be from this country, it is especially important to treat them with respect like everyone else. Some illegal immigrants come here for a better life because back home the conditions are unlivable. Medical confidentiality should cover these patients so they can receive health care without worrying about getting deported back to their home country.
12. Health care for and responsibilities of those with AIDS/HIV
If an individual is knowledgeable that they are a carrier of HIV/AIDS and then knowing have unprotected sex with someone without telling them they are positive, it should be a criminal offense. They need to be responsible and police themselves if they decide to become intimate with an individual who is negative. For those born with the disease, it is unfortunate that they didn’t even get a choice in the matter. However, the same self-discipline falls onto them to inform their partners that they are HIV/AIDS positive. It is also important for medical professionals working with positive patients to be mindful of whatever bodily fluids they may encounter and ensure no one else is exposed to the disease.
8. Organ transplants and scarce medical resources
Donating organs is what runs the United States medical system. Many of my family members have donated organs and I plan to do the same if the chance ever arises. If I so happen to die unexpectedly, then I would want what is left of body to help those who need it. As for scarce medical resources, that is the companies’ fault for running away with their greed. Medicine is expensive because it was made that way by CEOs and governments. For example, plasma businesses make millions of dollars a year from donors who get mere pennies in comparison. So, for the “scarcity” of medical resources, maybe some of that blood money should be going towards funding instead of into another rich person’s pocket.
9. Distributing health care (How it should be allocated based on age/status/ability to pay)
I know that socialized healthcare isn’t the greatest thing in the eyes of an average American, but to an extent it is true. Everyone is entitled to a basic form of medical treatment without having a price tag attached. However, if it is a purely optional or cosmetic form of medical surgery then it should have to be paid for y the individuals who want it. I don’t pay taxes for some Instagram influencer to get lip injects or breast fillers for pennies while there are struggling families out on the streets because of medical bills.
Challenges
10. Health care for women (unique challenges, responsibilities during pregnancy)
Women need to stop being undervalued just because of the genitalia they have between their legs. Health care needs to be provided for women without needed a massive pay wall. A mother should not have to pay $10,000+ just so she can birth her baby in the comfort of a hospital. Birth control pills should not be equivalent to a month of rent or a car payment. Making women choose between groceries for the week or a pill that balances their hormones so they can function normally is messed up. It seems that anytime the health care issues of a woman comes up, an added price tag is attached for simply having two X chromosomes.
11. Health care for minorities (inequalities in care, illegal immigrant health care)
Everyone deserves the same level of respect and quality in the care they receive, regardless of race, orientation, age, or ethnic background. Especially to those who may not be from this country, it is especially important to treat them with respect like everyone else. Some illegal immigrants come here for a better life because back home the conditions are unlivable. Medical confidentiality should cover these patients so they can receive health care without worrying about getting deported back to their home country.
12. Health care for and responsibilities of those with AIDS/HIV
If an individual is knowledgeable that they are a carrier of HIV/AIDS and then knowing have unprotected sex with someone without telling them they are positive, it should be a criminal offense. They need to be responsible and police themselves if they decide to become intimate with an individual who is negative. For those born with the disease, it is unfortunate that they didn’t even get a choice in the matter. However, the same self-discipline falls onto them to inform their partners that they are HIV/AIDS positive. It is also important for medical professionals working with positive patients to be mindful of whatever bodily fluids they may encounter and ensure no one else is exposed to the disease.