Ethical Dilemma Paper

I will be using a situation that happened to me, as a patient, for my ethical dilemma example. The dilemma regarding this paper is diagnosis based solely upon stereotyping. I will then remove myself as the patient and take the role of either nurse and/or radiological technologist under a physician. I will then go through the process of resolving the ethical dilemma. I will define a problem, develop alternative solutions and select the best solution. I will also defend my solution by using The ARRT Code of Ethics.

Diagnosis Based Upon Stereotypes

In healthcare, just because something looks like a duck, sounds like a duck, it does not mean that it is a duck. Assumption, without proper testing can lead to disastrous results, especially in the

Why didn’t the physician perform a series of tests? Is the physician homophobic? No matter if it’s the ARRT or Hippocratic oath, do we not put focus upon the patients care and wellbeing? What about the health facility I work for? Do I not have an obligation to uphold the standards and reputation of the facility? What if the patient sues for malpractice? Am I overstepping my boundaries in regards to professional duties? From the research I gathered, this is a perfect example of a health disparity. Health and healthcare disparity is a difference in healthcare given, normally inadequate, due to race, sexual orientation, gender, age, and socioeconomic status. My reason for identifying the problem as health disparity is because both doctors assumed, because I was gay, that I had some sort of sexually transmitted disease due to stereotyping. No tests were administered, no other qualifying questions were asked of me, except of my sexual orientation, and diagnosis was only from assumption, not from tests

I need to find out directly from the physician. I would never go directly to a patient and divulge any information unless directed by one of my superiors. I also know that I would need to talk to someone if in fact the physician was providing inadequate healthcare due to race, sexual orientation, gender, age, and/or socioeconomic status. I also know that The ARRT Code of Ethics, principles 1,3,5, and 6 all play a pertinent role in my deciding the solution. To paraphrase each principle, principle 1 – I must respond to the patient needs, support my colleagues and associates, while providing the best patient care. Principle 3 – regardless of any differences by gender, age, race, social status, disease or illness, everyone gets the best care. Principle 5 – it is my job and responsibility to act in the best interest of the patient. Principle 6 – I am the liaison between patient and physician, collecting information through communication and observation from the patient to aid the physician so they can make a diagnosis. It is not my job to diagnose and overstep my