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 19 : BURDEN
Case Study 19 : BURDEN Challenges The family of a 23-year old female patient, attached to a respirator for the past three months and in
Case 18 : CHAPLAINCY AND HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS
Case Study 18 : CHAPLAINCY AND HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS Challenges Due to the demands of her assignments in the department, complicated by some family problems,
Case 17 : CHAPLAINCY AND PATIENTS
Case Study 17 : CHAPLAINCY AND PATIENTS Challenges A 34-year-old male cigarette vendor is admitted with chief complaint of abdominal pain. Preliminary examination reveals a
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
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.
