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 16 : PATIENTS’ CONCERNS
Case Study 16 : PATIENTS’ CONCERNS Challenges A 36-year-old patient was diagnosed with a benign mass in the uterus and was scheduled for partial hysterectomy.
Case 15 : PEER RELATIONS
Case Study 15 : PEER RELATIONS Challenges A healthcare professional discovers a serious error committed by a colleague in the management of a certain patient.
Case 14 : CONFIDENTIALITY AND MINORS
Case Study 14 : CONFIDENTIALITY AND MINORS Challenges A 14-year-old boy came for treatment of psoriatic lesions mostly over the palm and the soles. Upon
Case 13 : HEALTH MAINTENANCE ORGANIZATIONS
Case Study 13 : HEALTH MAINTENANCE ORGANIZATIONS Challenges Patient is a 55 year old female, admitted due to multiple fractures of the left femur resulting
Case 12 : AUTOPSY WITHOUT CONSENT
Case Study 12 : AUTOPSY WITHOUT CONSENT Challenges A 45-year old female diagnosed with Infiltrating Ductal Carcinoma of the left breast underwent a left-modified radical
Case 11 : DNR and No CPR
Case Study 8 : PERSONALIZING HEALTH CARE Challenges A 45 year old male lay in a comatose state, attached to a respirator for the past
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.
