Medical social workers are routinely confronted with ethical dilemmas pertaining to patient autonomy, confidentiality, refusal of services, informed consent, and assisting families in decision making about treatment and quality of life. Boland (2006) argues that these dilemmas stem from advances in medical technology and cost containment strategies such as managed care. Ethical decision making involves several steps. First, recognize the presence of an ethical dilemma. Second, acknowledge that practice situations have competing values, obligations, and principles. Third, understand the rationale used by practitioners in identifying ethical dilemmas.
To prepare for this Discussion, select one of the case studies and consider the ethical dilemmas in the case study. Focus on the NASW Code of Ethics pertinent to the case you selected.
Case Study 1:
A 15-year-old girl is diagnosed with cancer. She is tired of chemotherapy and being in the hospital. She tells her parents and her doctors that she wants to terminate treatment and live her final days at home and spending time with her friends.
Case Study 2:
A 14-year-old boy was infected with HIV during birth. He tells his social worker that he is going to develop an intimate relationship with his new girlfriend. The boy’s parents are concerned about stigma and discrimination and have chosen not to tell the boy about his HIV status.
Post an explanation of the ethical dilemma in the case you selected. Justify both sides of the issue. Then, assume the role of the medical social worker involved in the scenario and explain how you might respond to the ethical dilemma. Explain two ethical responsibilities for a medical social worker in response to this case. Make sure to support your response by referring to the NASW Code of Ethics.
Be sure to support your postings and responses with specific references to the resources and the current literature using appropriate APA format and style.
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Return to this Discussion in a few days to read the responses to your initial posting. Note what you have learned and/or any insights you have gained as a result of your colleagues’ comments.
Gehlert, S., & Browne, T. (Eds.). (2012). Handbook of health social work (2nd ed.). Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.
Chapter 3, “Ethics and Social Work in Health Care” (pp. 41–63)
National Association of Social Workers. (2017). Code of ethics of the National Association of Social Workers. Retrieved from https://www.socialworkers.org/About/Ethics/Code-of-Ethics/Code-of-Ethics-English
Cole, P. L. (2012). You want me to do what? Ethical practice within interdisciplinary collaborations. Journal of Social Work Values and Ethics, 9(1), 26–39. Retrieved from http://www.jswvearchives.com/spring12/spr124.pdf
McCormick, A. J., Stowell-Weiss, P., Carson, J., Tebo, G., Hanson, I., & Quesada, B. (2014). Continuing education in ethical decision making using case studies from medical social work. Social Work in Health Care, 53(4), 344-363.
Note: Retrieved from Walden Library databases.
McGowan, C. M. (2011). Legal aspects of end-of-life care. Critical Care Nurse, 31(5), 64–69.
Note: Retrieved from Walden Library databases.
Reamer, F. G. (2013). Social work in a digital age: Ethical and risk management challenges. Social Work, 58(2), 163–172.
Note: Retrieved from Walden Library databases.
Reamer, F. G. (2018). Ethical issues in integrated health care: Implications for social workers. Health & Social Work, 43(2), 118–124.
Note: Retrieved from Walden Library databases.
Weinberg, M. (2010). The social construction of social work ethics: Politicizing and broadening the lens. Journal of Progressive Human Services, 21(1), 32–44.
Note: Retrieved from Walden Library databases.
Woodcock, R. (2011). Ethical standards in the NASW code of ethics: The explicit legal model, and beyond. Families in Society, 92(1), 21–27. med
