Ethical Dilemmas in Nursing Research free essay sample

Ethical Dilemmas Patricia Smith Grantham University Theories amp; Research in Nursing NUR401 Kelli Reid RN/MSN/MBA May 14, 2013 W7 Journal Entry 7: Ethical Dilemmas The need for nursing research is evident. With the evolution of evidenced based practice for nursing, only the most up to date or current best researched evidence is being used or promoted at the bedside (Burns amp; Grove, 2009, p. 16). Although this need for nursing research is evident, such research cannot be obtained at any price. The advantages must clearly outweigh the potential disadvantages in order for any research to be ethically conducted. There are, as a result, some gray areas or issues that do not have the same level of importance, to a specific group or region of people, as they would to a different region or group of people. Care must be exercised to obtain an informed consent, to protect the privacy of those involved, to protect the participant’s personal information or data, to provide the participants an open opportunity to freely withdraw from the research project at any time and to explain the potential benefits as well as the possibility of any harm. We will write a custom essay sample on Ethical Dilemmas in Nursing Research or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Honestly in presentation without jargon is one of the most important components. In some cases, none of these expected requirements are followed. One example of this is the national screening of blood collected from all new born infants in the United States. Newborn Dried Blood Spot Screening or NBS is primarily a state facilitated laboratory test that obtains blood from an infant’s foot, and tests are run on that blood to detect genetic disorders or various other metabolic or endocrine conditions. Originally when these tests on newborns began in the early 1960’s, a single test was performed to identify phenylketonuria (PKU) that has an incidence of 1:20,000-25,000 infants. Whereby if the infant is positive for this test, the breakdown of amino acid is absent causing the protein to build up and cause mental or intellectual disability. The treatment, once aware of this deficiency, is simply to maintain a diet low in PKU. Over the years, more and more tests have been added to this screen, there are currently over thirty. Some professionals question the importance of some of these tests, since some have no treatment, and others are extremely rare. In 2005 a legal case was presented to the courts, as the parents tried to refuse this newborn testing for religious reasons, the child was snatched from the parents by Nebraska officials, and the tests were performed (Anderson, Rothwell, amp; Botkin, 2011, p. 116). The Courts sided with the State, claiming child protection (Douglas County v. Anaya , 2005, table C4). So how does this research go on when it is not entirely justified, nor does it meet the ethical requirements imposed otherwise? The President’s Council on Bioethics, the American Academy of Pediatrics, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, March of Dimes, Save Babies Through Screening Foundation, Inc. , and advocacy groups, all support this testing. The ethical dilemma surrounding abortion in the United States is of utmost importance to all political offices. And, in light of the mandatory research screening performed on newborns, such causes one to wonder if these same organizations are as involved with the infant before the delivery or birth. In the 2011 Issue of Bioethics Magazine, Prof. Scott Woodcock presented the ilemma he believes is caused by honest full disclosure and informed consent. He stated that a fully honest and informed consent provided to a pregnant woman might be a deterrent to her obtaining the abortion she is seeking, causing guilt or intimidation. He suggests that providing only certain types of information, and using communication skills rather than straightforward information given (Woodcock, 2011, p. 496). This sounds like regression, instead of progression here. Leaving choice bits of information out makes an informed consent an uninformed consent and places the caregiver at risk legally for withholding information. At risk ethically as well, who decides what information to provide in each case or â€Å"relationship†? That type of healthcare would be inconsistent, bias and exceedingly dangerous. The elected officials are the overseers, and elected as the lawgivers. The best way to avoid ethical dilemmas or any dilemmas is to be honest and knowledgeable about your topic of research. Practice within ones scope. Encourage open communication. Educate and teach without biases. Consistently know and follow your facilities protocols, but primarily adhere to the state and federal laws. References Anderson, R. , Rothwell, E. , amp; Botkin, J. 2011, January 1). Newborn screening: ethical, legal, and social implications. Annual Review of Nursing Research , 29, 113-132. http://dx. doi. org/10. 1891/0739-6686. 29. 113 Burns, N. , amp; Grove, S. K. (2009). The Practice of Nursing Research Appraisal, synthesis, and generation of evidence (6th ed. ). St. Louis, MO: Saunders Elsevier. CHILD’s Legal Initiatives – Amicus Curiae Briefs. (2005). Retrieved from http://childrenshealthcare. org/? page_id=24#Lawsuits Woodcock, S. (2011, November 1). ABORTION COUNSELLING AND THE INFORMED CONSENT DILEMMA. Bioethics, 25, 495-504. http://dx. doi. org/10. 1111/j. 1467-8519. 2009. 01798. x