Bioethics Bits
“Bioethics Bits” offers a concise and practical guide to navigating the complex ethical dilemmas encountered in healthcare. Using the IDEA framework—a four-step tool for ethical decision-making—we provide a clear process for identifying facts, determining dilemmas, exploring options, and acting on a decision. This resource is designed to empower healthcare professionals, patients, and families with the knowledge needed to make sound, justifiable choices in challenging situations.
CASE STUDY
Case 2 : The Role Of The Bioethics Committe
Case Study 2 : The Role Of The Bioethics Committe Challenges A doctor and her colleagues cannot decide on how to manage a certain patient,
Case 1 : Withdrawing of Life Support
Case Study 1 :WITHDRAWAL LIFE SUPPORT Challenges Patient is a 52-year old male who met an accident, and has been attached to a respirator in
Ethical Decision-Making Tool
The Makati Medical Center Bioethics Educational Committee has adopted an Ethical Decision-Making Framework to assist healthcare professionals, patients, families, and institutions in navigating situations where values, principles, and responsibilities may be in conflict. Ethical challenges in clinical practice often involve balancing patient autonomy, medical best practices, cultural and spiritual beliefs, institutional policies, and societal considerations. This framework, summarized by the acronym “IDEA” (Identify, Determine, Explore, Act), provides a clear and systematic approach for addressing such dilemmas. By encouraging the collection of all relevant facts, recognizing the ethical principles at stake, exploring a range of options, and acting on well-justified decisions, the tool helps ensure that decision-making is both morally sound and practically effective. It is designed not only as a guide for individual cases but also as an educational resource to strengthen ethical awareness and promote collaborative discussions across healthcare teams.
