ethical issues in paramedic practice

Copyright 2023 With the exception of life-threatening situations (where a paramedic will often act in the patient's best interests to protect the patient's wellbeing), the preference is for clinicians to restore capacity or to wait for capacity to resume before intervening in the care of the patient. Ethics and law in paramedic practice: boundaries of capacity and The crew's assessments and thought processes surrounding the management of John will be discussed. A policy set by an EMS Medical Director that allows EMTs to administer glucose to patients in certain circumstances without speaking to the physician is an example of a (n): A. direct order. Paramedic: Legislation And And Guidance That Govern The - Edubirdie During the shared decision-making process between clinician and patient, paramedics must respect these preferences but also be sure that the material risks associated with alternative options for treatment (including non-transport) are clearly explained to the patient (Chan et al, 2017). In the UK, paramedics are currently not able to utilise any part of the MHA, though it is debated whether this would be beneficial (Berry, 2014; DOH, 2014). Those two principles form the structure and responsibility of paramedicine and determine its credibility and prominence in contemporary society. Putting in place a safety net for all parties is thus an important component of the paramedics' ethical practice. In the case of paramedicine, both ethics and law should remain unprejudiced and objective. It is particularly important for clinicians to assess patient capacity every time they attend a person rather than relying on past experiences that because the person lacked capacity owing to their mental illness during a previous attendance, they will somehow lack capacity on all future presentations. Conclusion The involvement of people with dementia is sometimes limited by medical, social or clinician-dependent factors. Practice in a manner consistent with a code of ethics for registered nurses. D. personal safety. Other sections of the MHA can be utilised to remove a person from their property but require further input from other professionals ranging from magistrates to psychiatric doctors and approved mental health professionals (see appendix 2). They must also deliver care that is consistent with ethical standards and respectful of the expectations, preferences and beliefs of the patient. Commonly, these four principles help the paramedics make the optimal decisions and protect the interests of clients, acting both morally and legally. It means that all actions taken by the practitioners should demonstrate positive effects on the patients and improve their health conditions. This article addresses these questions by exploring the relationship between healthcare ethics, health law and evidence-based practice in paramedicine. Gillick competence empowers children to exercise autonomy over their own medical decisions. Continuing Professional Development: Ethical issues in paramedic practice However, incomplete, unclear or incorrectly written prescriptions can cause harm to patients. | The paramedics should consider every individual case and act fairly and objectively in every situation (Beauchamp & Childress, 2008). For example, in England and Wales under section 74 of the Serious Crimes Act 2015, health professionals have a legal duty to notify the police if they discover female genital mutilation. Paramedical practice should not neglect the intentions of patients to undergo certain types of treatment but fulfill the required tasks responsibly and credibly (Sharp, Palmore, & Grady, 2014). Ethical Issues in Critical Care | Clinical Gate In particular, privacy and confidentiality considerations must be foremost when others are present such as work colleagues or neighbours. Paramedics may be the first health professionals to encounter these vulnerable adults and be the link to not only ensuring they receive the clinical care required at the time but also to breaking the cycle of abuse through notifications or referrals to agencies and support services. Besides, their classification sets the right vision for the development of paramedicine and provides it with the required tools and methods of acting and solving various dilemmas. John had arrived at a friend's house during the night, behaving in a strange, confused manner. Therefore, where appropriate, the MHA is likely to take precedence over the MCA where a patient is being treated for a mental health disorder. Paramedics must be aware of their own personal biases or preconceived ideas of disability; these are sometimes referred to as unconscious biases. At the same time, the education should not be subjective, prejudiced, or convincing as the patients have to make their own decisions concerning their lives and health conditions. This article addresses these questions by exploring the relationship between healthcare ethics, health law and evidence-based practice in paramedicine. From this point of view, paramedicine has to develop a distinct set of ethical standards and rules to cover their sphere of professional activities. Therefore, it is important to consider those principles more precisely. A sixth theme of ethical complexity was pervasive across these five themes. 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. That said, given the earlier acknowledgment of paramedics feeling undertrained to assess mental health patients (Roberts and Henderson, 2009; Berry, 2014) it could be questioned how equipped paramedics would be to utilise this act. For example, if a patient is transported and this leaves an older person or older child at home, will they be sufficiently able to manage activities of daily living including food preparation, medication management and personal care? This can explain why paramedics also report feelings of confusion surrounding the MCA and a lack of confidence in utilising it (Amblum 2014). All rights reserved, Continuing Professional Development: Ethical issues in paramedic practice. Despite this, there remain multiple barriers to their fully effective provision of such care. Practitioners must manage care that is least restrictive of the patient's rights (Mental Capacity Act 2005, section 1). doi = "https://doi.org/10.12968/jpar.2020.12.10.CPD1". 105: 9 Using quantitative research methods in paramedic practice. They must also deliver care that is consistent with ethical standards and respectful of the expectations, preferences and beliefs of the patient. Ethics and law in paramedic practice: Boundaries of capacity and However, if a person seems likely to be detained under the MHA, decision-makers cannot normally (p.234) rely on the MCA to give treatment for, or make decisions about, a mental health condition. In the theory of principle based ethics a paramedic must practise non-maleficence and beneficence. What makes them vulnerable is their lack of defences or resources to deal with threats or risk (Schrder-Butterfill and Marianti, 2006). 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. Continuing Professional Development: Ethical aspects of consent, duty Paramedic attitudes and experiences of enrolling patients into the On the one hand, the paramedics should not neglect the interests and intentions of the patients. As the paramedic role evolves, there is an opportunity to embed person-centred care in practice and to ensure that education equips paramedics . Decision making in this environment is intended to provide care and treatment in the best interests of the patient. This is the main reason that explains the prominence of the ethical issues in health care and the necessity to respond to them appropriately. Some people with a disability may have mobility issues that do not affect their capacity to consent to treatment and decision-making, while others with a disability may not have decision-making capacity for numerous reasons, including communication difficulties or intellectual disability. ethics of paramedics - SlideShare Don't hesitate and rely on professionals! (PDF) Law and Ethics for Paramedics: An Essential Guide abstract = "Decision-making is central to the everyday practice of paramedicine. Assessing a person's capacity at every attendance is crucial because capacity is fluid, affected by numerous personal, medical, social and environmental factors. School of Nursing, Midwifery & Paramedic Practice Paramedics must deliver appropriate clinical care within the boundaries of the law, clinical guidelines and evidence-based standards. After answering the questions, use the detailed answer explanations to learn why an answer was correct or incorrect. http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/pmj.79.929.151 Wednesday, December 2, 2020. Ethical dilemmas are in large part situational, and so it may be helpful to briefly describe the occupational nature of paramedic practice. Summary. Older patients may have fluctuating capacity so may be able to make decisions for themselves in some circumstances and not others. Using a reflective format, the article explored some of the laws surrounding treatment without consent and how these may aid or hinder a paramedics' ability to provide good quality care to patients in complex situations. prevent the safe and effective practice.5 Ideally, the paramedic concerned should report any of the above issues themselves, as this reflects professional behaviour. PROFESSIONALISM Professionalism in UK paramedic practice Prof Malcolm This case report highlights the potential difficulties and complications associated with the management of mental health incidents for ambulance crews (Parsons and O'Brien, 2011) as well as how potentially confusing the ethical and legal aspects are when managing mental health conditions that require some involuntary form of treatment (Townsend and Luck, 2009). This expanded role builds on the skills and preparation of the Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) and Paramedic, with the intention of fulfilling the health care needs of those populations with limited access to primary care services. The Paramedic'S Guide To Research: An Introduction - Google Books A mother (Victoria Gillick) sought to have medical practitioners refuse to provide medical advice to her daughters, aged under 16, in relation to contraception. Empowerment and involvement - Patients should be fully involved in decisions about care, support and treatment. In other words, this principle requires minimizing the negative outcomes of treatment and maximizing its positive results. Apart from being a paramedic, entails checking for dangers as part of your primary survey, to protect yourself, bystanders and the patient. Similarly, the principle of ethical justice refers to the necessity to provide all patients with equal care and treatment possibilities. A person's capacity depends upon the nature of their disability. Here we provide services and products that are for reference purpose only & are not intended to be put forward as finalised work & are to be used strictly for assistance in writing your own research material papers. It means that all actions and decisions implemented by the paramedicine practitioners should not only comply with the moral aspect but also with the legislative laws and rules (Aehlert, 2012). The ethical and legal dilemmas paramedics face when managing a mental It is diffcult tp prove actions were performed if they are not included on the report. The practitioners should have the required level of education and work experience to deal with the patients in the most effective and quality manner. Writing a prescription: the law and good practice Paramedic independent prescribing offers an opportunity to improve patient access to medications. Moreover, the principle of beneficence involves the necessity to provide sufficient and professional communication and interaction with such patients, without demonstrating their subjective judgments and assessments of the situation. Principlism in paramedicine: An examination of applied healthcare ethics In addition, due to John's virtually complete lack of speech, it was excessively difficult to ascertain if he was suffering any hallucinations/delusions at that time. EMT Chapter 3 -- Medical, Legal, and Ethical Issues Quiz While the moral or ethical side of paramedicine depends on various religious, cultural, and personal beliefs and views, its legal aspect has a strict definition. Like the abuse of children, the abuse of older people is a significant community concern. MA Healthcare Ltd Ethics and law for the paramedic Reflective practice and communication Professional issues, including clinical audit and governance and anti-discriminatory practice Psychological perspectives on health and ill health Safeguarding children Sociological perspective on health and ill health and social policy As a result, it is possible to observe a contradiction between the notion of personal autonomy and medical intervention. Ethical Responsibilities of Paramedics | Work - Chron.com This exploratory case study utilized semi-structured interviews of thirteen North. Least restrictive option and maximising independence - Where it is possible to treat a patient safely and lawfully without detaining them under the Act, the patient should not be detained. Copyright 2023 Box 1.Autonomy in a childAs a local paramedic, you have come to know Terry quite well over the years. All of these actions may devaluate the positive results of treatment and harm patients health and well-being. Terry's condition has been worsening in recent weeks and his parents and clinicians have arranged for Terry to be transported by ambulance to hospital.However, Terry does not want to go to hospital today. There were no obvious physical causes for John's behaviour at this stage. However, what should paramedics do when their intended, evidence based course of treatment is different from the patients own wishes? With this considered, it appears that in John's case, the MCA would have been an appropriate means with which to act in John's best interests and convey him to a place of safety for further treatment, which would most likely have been the nearest emergency department. As such, John was assessed using the MCA (Department of Health, 2005) to ensure that he had the capability and right to make his own decisions. The Department of Constitutional Affairs (2007) states that a person's ability to make decisions to protect themselves must always be in balance with their civil right to make such decisions. At these times, police are frequently involved in the prehospital management of patients where there is a potential risk of physical harm to either the patient or paramedics. Removed to place of safety for up to 72 hours for further assessment. In conclusion, ethical and legal principles are of great importance in paramedical practices. There is currently some debate as to whether the police are the most suitable personnel to be detaining patients under the MHA for a variety of reasons, and paramedics are mentioned as a potential alternative group to utilise this law in the future (Department of Health, 2014). Many with intellectual or communication disabilities are able to live independently in the community and make autonomous choices about their healthcare. Fluctuation of capacity means that a person's ability to understand information, retain that information and make an informed decision can come and go. These factors contribute to an ethically complex decision-making environment. Sample Essay on Law and Ethics in Paramedical Science Abstract. Methods Nurses are expected to practise in an ethical manner, through the demonstration of a range of ethical competencies articulated by registering bodies and the relevant codes of ethics (see Boxes 5.1 and 5.2).It is important that nurses develop a 'moral competence' so that they are able to contribute to discussion and implementation of issues concerning ethics and human rights . It appears that paramedics, emergency clinicians and student paramedics are using reflective practice as the learning tool of choice.