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 33 : GENETIC COUNSELING
Case Study 33 : GENETIC COUNSELING Challenges A baby girl was born 6 months ago via normal spontaneous delivery, full term, to a 32-year-old G4P3
Case 32 : OFFERING HOPE
Case Study 32 : OFFERING HOPE Challenges A 22 year-old male was admitted due to extensive chemical burn injuries involving the face, torso and extremities
Case 31 : DISTRESSING TRUTH
Case Study 31 : DISTRESSING TRUTH Challenges A 32-year-old female, G4P4, admitted due to abdominal pain, was diagnosed with cervical carcinoma, stage III; she underwent
Case 30 : DURABLE POWER OF ATTORNEY
Case Study 30 : DURABLE POWER OF ATTORNEY Challenges An 81-year old male diagnosed with COPD and chronic bronchial asthma was admitted due to difficulty
Case 29 :ADVANCE MEDICAL DIRECTIVE
Case Study 29 : ADVANCE MEDICAL DIRECTIVE Challenges A 60-year old widow, G8P8, was admitted because of abdominal pain. The abdomen was partially distended, tender
Case 28 : UNAVAILABLE DOCTORS
Case Study 28 : UNAVAILABLE DOCTORS Challenges Patient had profuse vaginal bleeding after spontaneous vaginal delivery in a maternity clinic and arrived at the Emergency Department hypotensive
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.
