Reflective Journal Template

Reflective Journal Template – Topic Reflection Topic Death With Dignity What are the key points of contention on this topic? Both physicians sound like they are for PAS, but Dr. Meadows does come up ethical reasons why it shouldn’t happen. Dr Mahal on the other hand is for PAS. He has probably seen patients that have been in pain for such a long time that they could be candidates for PAS and end there suffering. What side of the argument (stance) do you take on this topic? For PAS to be legal in all states and a construct an ethical template on how to make the patient feel comfortable and understand why they are doing this. With this in mind patients can feel protected and also the providers helping them in this time of need. What strong points does the other side of this topic have? Doctors act voluntarily for PAS. If a certain doctor doesn’t do PAS they have to find a doctor who does. The end of life is only for people 18yrs and older. Patients have talked and decided with their family members on their decision on ending their life. Have talked to specialists and other families that have gone through the process. What were the three most important things you took away from the topic? 1. 15 day wait list enough time to see how the patient is acting about it and also seeing other specialists to talk about the idea of PAS. 2. Other options that are ethical before thinking of PAS. 3. Dr. Mahal’s assessment is reasonable. The death with dignity act has been made to where it protects both patient and doctor Which ethical theory (of the 6 approved ones ONLY – Kant; Act Utilitarianism; Rule Utilitarianism; Care Ethics; Virtue Ethics; and Social Contract) would you apply to this topic to defend your stance? Explain fully. 250 words. A) In this reflection you must first define the key terms of the debate (for example, define what Euthanasia/Abortion/Stem Cell/Public Health/PreNatal Testing/Animal Research/Health Care, etc. means and what are the different types depending on which topic you are discussing) B) Define and explain the ethical theory you chose (show me you know exactly what the theory is and does – in your own words) C) Present the evidence both pro and con and follow up how using your ethical theory is the best way to determine whether or not your stance is really ethical D) Conclusion – any final thoughts and opinions would go here E) 2 to 3 resources as support for your evidence (text book counts as 1) The reason I feel that I am for this topic is because I do a see a lot of patients who are in pain all the time or have a serious illness that is either incurable or if the patient has had it for a long time. They have suffered through it and became a burden to whoever is taking care of them. Some of these patients have concluded that the only way out of this suffering is to end it. A lot of people have stated that this is ethically wrong because these patients should die of natural causes and not be assisted by anything or anyone. I say otherwise. Who can tell someone when they can die if its one’s decision that they have had enough pain but themselves? Dr. Mahal’s mindset on how to construct the law for other states adopting The Death with Dignity Act has a lot of great points in his argument with Dr. Meadows, stating that the patient should be sane and properly informed on the decision of ending owns life. These patients should evaluate all alternatives, because there is a small percentage that they might not go with it all the way and start having second guesses on what to do. Rule Utilitarianism is a great theory to describe how end of death can be used to conform an action that the outcome will be greatest good. Per Pence he has stated that, “If a surgeon can take a liver, a heart, skin, eyes, and bone marrow from a brain-dead cadaver and give all to one patient or something to six, it is obvious that it’s better to save six than one” (Pence pg. 9-10). With this said I think he trying to say is that even that its unethical about end of life by euthanasia is wrong but will help the patient stop from suffering.