"Compassion comes in different Form case study" should physician have spoken to Annies as to the seriousness of her illness?explain

rewarded for this. It brought me an improved reputation in my job and contributed to my advancement afterwards. Not only did I demonstrate that I could do what was asked, expected of me, I exemplified the good company employee. I saved a half a million dollars. Since that day, I have lived with this act and many others eating into my heart and soul. The primary ethical norm is do no harm. I did worse, I caused death. Instead of using a clumsy bloody weapon, I used the simplest, clean- est of tools: my words. This man died because I denied him a necessary operation to save his heart. I felt little pain or remorse at the time. The man's faceless distance soothed my conscience. Like a skilled soldier, I was trained for the moment. When any moral qualms arose, I was to remem- ber, "I am not denying care; I am only denying payment." was relieve sensed Dr. tinued, a of the cold Brown relu cer has spr organs." M see her?" room." Bet "Please do her to alw worry, I wc narrowing Mark recovery re spotted hi running o her bedsic wake up a could take Later, "What did a narrowir "Yes, but good. I wa and get so Annie fell Mark Although Dr. Peeno came forward with her story, the lack of compassion for others plagues the healthcare industry in a variety of settings. Detachment, or lack of concern for the patient's needs, is what often translates into mistakes that often result in patient injuries. As with all things in life, there needs to be a comfort- able balance between compassion and detachment. REALITY CHECK: Compassion Comes in Different Forms Jerry and Annie, a 27-year-old woman with two children, began experiencing severe pain in her abdomen while visiting her family in May 2002. After complain- ing of pain to Mark, her husband, in June 2002, he scheduled Annie an appointment with Dr. Roberts, a Mark pulle out of his ity SCHOPENHAUER of all caregivers. ness in their moral was evident when ommerce on May hired as a claims ice organizations ession. In the spring Although this was en taken before any sin any professional site occurred. I was mproved reputation ncement afterwards. do what was asked. company employee. this act and many The primary ethical ased death. Instead of the simplest, clean- because I denied him it. I felt little pain or less distance soothed I was trained for the ose, I was to remem- denying payment." gastroenterologist, who ordered a series of tests. While conducting a barium scan, a radiologist at Community Hospital noted a small bowel obstruction, Dr. Roberts recommended surgery, and Annie agreed to it. After the surgery, on July 7, Dr. Brown, the oper- ating surgeon, paged Mark over the hospital inter- com as he walked down a corridor on the ground floor. Mark, hearing the page, picked up a house phone and dialed zero for an operator. The opera- tor inquired, "May I help you?" "Yes." Mark replied. "I was just paged." Oh, yes. Dr. Brown would like to talk to you. I will connect you with him. Hang on. Don't hang up." (Mark's heart began to pound.) Dr. Brown asked, "Is this you, Mark?" Mark replied, "Yes, it is." Dr. Brown replied, "Well, surgery is over. Your wife is recovering nicely in the recovery room." Mark was relieved but for a moment. That's good." Mark sensed Dr. Brown had more to say. Dr. Brown con- tinued, "I am sorry to say that she has carcinoma of the colon." Mark replied, "Did you get it all?" Dr. Brown reluctantly replied, "I am sorry, but the can- cer has spread to her lymph nodes and surrounding organs." Mark, as he within the tears, asked, "Can see her?" Dr. Brown replied, "She is in the recovery room." Before hanging up. Mark told Dr. Brown, "Please do not tell Annie that she has cancer. I want her to always have hope.' Dr. Brown agreed, "Don't worry, I won't tell her. You can tell her that she had a narrowing of the colon. Mark hung up the phone and proceeded to the recovery room. After entering the recovery room, he spotted his wife. His heart sank. Tubes seemed to be running out of every part of her body. He walked to her bedside. His immediate concern was to see her wake up and have the tubes pulled out so that he could take her home. Later, in a hospital room, Annie asked Mark. "What did the doctor find?" Mark replied, "He found a narrowing of the colon." "Am I going to be okay?" "Yes, but it will take a while to recover." "Oh, that's good. I was so worried," said Annie. "You go home and get some rest." Mark said, "I'll be back later," as Annie fell back to sleep. Mark left the hospital and went to see his friends, Jerry and Helen, who had invited him for dinner. As Mark pulled up to Jerry and Helen's home, he got out of his car and just stood there looking up a long (continued) h her story, the lack ealthcare industry in the patient's needs, is often result in patient Leeds to be a comfort- Betachment assion Comes with two children, in her abdomen 02. After complain- , in June 2002, he with Dr. Roberts, a Conscientious The most infectiously those who forget the serving others. REALITY CHECK: Compassion Comes in Different Forms (continued) stairway leading to Jerry and Helen's home. They were standing there looking down at Mark. It was early eve- ning. The sun was setting. A warm breeze was blowing. and Helen's eyes were watering. Those few moments seemed like a lifetime. Mark discovered a new emo- tion, as he stood there speechless. He knew then that he was losing a part of himself. Things would never be the same. Annie had one more surgery two months later in a futile attempt to extend her life. In November 2002, Annie was admitted to the hospital for the last time. Annie was so ill that even during her last moments she was unaware that she was dying. Dr. Brown entered the room and asked Mark, "Can I see you for a few moments?" "Yes," Mark replied. He followed Dr. Brown into the hallway. "Mark, I can keep Annie alive for a few more days, or we can let her go." Mark, not responding, went back into the room. He was now alone with Annie. Shortly thereafter, a nurse walked into the room and gave Annie an injection. Mark asked, "What did you give her?" The nurse replied, "Something to make her more comfortable." Annie had been asleep; she awoke, looked at Mark, and said, "Could you please cancel my appointment to be sworn in as a citizen? I will have to reschedule. I don't think I will be well enough to go." Mark replied, "Okay. try to get some rest.' Annie closed her eyes, never to open them again. A conscientious person is one strict regard for doing what is An individual acts conscientiou do what is right, believing it is th is a form of self-reflection on a one's actions are right or wrong- sanction that comes into play th sanction often appears as a bad cc ful feelings of remorse, guilt, sha as the individual recognizes that Discernment Get to know two things his money and how hes the clue to his character. that shows up the innermost rece all you need to know about his s driving desires, and his real religi- Discernment is the ability to make personal biases, fears, and undue person who has discernment has best course of action when there a to choose from. Fairness Do all the good you can, B In all the ways you can, in all the times you can. To a long as you ever can Discussion 1. Do you agree with Mark's decision not to tell Annie about the seriousness of her illness? Explain your answer. 2. Should the physician have spoken to Annie as to the seriousness of her illness? Explain your answer. 3. Describe the ethical dilemmas in this case (e.g how Annie's rights were violated). 4. Place yourself in Annie's shoes, the physician's shoes, and Mark's shoes, and then discuss how the lives of each may have been different if the physician had informed Annie as to the serious- ness of her illness. In ethics, fairness requires each perso ased, dispassionate, impartial, and cc ciples of ethics. Fairness is the ability from discrimination, dishonesty, or ability to be objective without preju tolerate mediocrity. We sometimes who just do their jobs, and we often pre sometimes despite questionable faults. tant to see the good in all and to reware