Blog 7: My Take on the Great Debate!

Currently, my course on healthcare ethics is challenging students through the use of ethical debates. Different groups of students (i.e., affirmative) are paired up with another group (i.e., negative) to argue either for or against a particular topic in healthcare ethics. I have found this process of debating one another quite enjoyable and throughout the debate I have realized the intent of such an activity. Although each side may argue their topic until they are blue in the face, ultimately each side comes to the conclusion that their topic can be viewed both affirmatively and negatively. Moreover, a great healthcare manager should posses the ability to see “both sides of the spectrum” when making an ethical decision in the field of healthcare. It is my opinion that a healthcare manager cannot just view ethical dilemmas in medicine as black or white, but look at situations with a “gray” set of eyes. Due to the “gray” nature of ethics anyway, one must be capable of seeing and understanding both sides of an ethical argument.

In an effort to not produce “spoilers” for my group’s debate topic and conclusion, I have chosen to post my thoughts on another group’s issue, “Health care organizations should accommodate patient’s requests for gender or culturally sensitive special treatments.” If given the choice to argue this debate, I would have chosen the affirmative side. However, I could easily argue the negative position for this particular topic as well. With today’s ever changing environment and society, it is only natural for our healthcare system’s environment to change as well. During the past few years, our country has continued to see an influx of individuals moving to America. These people come from different parts of the world where they not only speak a different language, but practice different beliefs and values. Their culture is not like that of America and what might be culturally sensitive in one country may not be the case in another country. Individuals moving to America may have different norms, taboos, customs and ideas. Therefore, as a nation that embraces new cultures and supports the right to express oneself, it would only be fitting that our country’s industries do the same.

In the field of healthcare, there exists a multitude of patients from a variety of different countries, backgrounds, religions and so on. Today’s healthcare environment is not only diverse, but is also very competitive. In order for a healthcare facility to successfully compete, it is essential to accommodate the needs and desires of its patients. This might include anything from employing healthcare personnel who speak different languages and are knowledgeable about culturally sensitive medical issues to performing procedures for patients who wish to change their sexual identity (i.e., transgendered patients). Delivering the types of services and care a patient requests and producing high levels of patient satisfaction are two keys to operating and maintaining a successful practice. After all, it is the patients who contribute to making the healthcare industry a successful one. Without the patients, there would be no need for providers or facilities.

Lastly, it would be in some way unethical to deny patients their preferences to gender or culturally sensitive treatments. One could argue that by not treating the patient in the manner that he or she requests, such an act could be considered discriminatory in nature and as a result, reflect very poorly on a healthcare organization. As a future healthcare manager, I would not like for my hospital to take on a discriminatory reputation and be viewed as not making an effort to accommodate our patients’ requests. Furthermore, the practice of medicine includes making the patient as comfortable as possible. Healthcare is an industry that deals with human life, and to not treat patients as a result of their gender related or culturally sensitive requests for treatment would be a violation of ethical conduct and care. Again, in today’s culturally sensitive environment, one must take extra care to ensure a culture of acceptance and respect in a healthcare organization. Denying and rejecting the medical needs of patients is not only unethical but is inconsistent with the very practice of medicine.