- Summarize one of the euthanasia dilemma arguments–you can choose either Donnell, Matzo or Bogucki–briefly and note why or why not this is a good argument either for or against medical triage? Make sure you also state your understanding of the definition of triage.
- After considering Shapiro (2020) NPR story, “People with Disabilities Fear Pandemic will Worsen Medical Biases,” share an example of bias you witnessed during the physical isolation period and how this would go against one of the philosophers’ theories we have read and why.
Please use the following as instructed by professor
- Donnell R.W. (2006) “A bright line. ” Medscape (PDF)
- Bogucki, S., & Jubanyik, K. (2009). “Triage, rationing, and palliative care in disaster planning. ” Biosecurity and Bioterrorism: Biodefense Strategy, Practice, and Science, 7(2), 221+. (PDF)
- Matzo et al (2009) “Palliative care considerations in mass casualty evens with scarce resources.” Biosecurity and Bioterrorism (PDF)
- Shapiro, J. (2020, April 15). “People With Disabilities Fear Pandemic Will Worsen Medical Biases.” (Website)
- Horwitz, J. (2020, March 11) “For Italians, Dodging coronavirus has become a game of chance.” New York Times (Website)
Expert Solution Preview
Introduction: As a medical professor, it is crucial to not only teach students about medical triage and palliative care, but also to address the ethical dilemmas surrounding these topics. Additionally, it is important to recognize and address biases in healthcare, especially in times of crisis.
1. Summarize one of the euthanasia dilemma arguments–you can choose either Donnell, Matzo or Bogucki–briefly and note why or why not this is a good argument either for or against medical triage? Make sure you also state your understanding of the definition of triage.
One argument regarding euthanasia and medical triage is presented by Bogucki and Jubanyik (2009). They argue that in disaster planning, decisions regarding who receives medical care should be based on the likelihood of survival and potential to benefit from treatment, rather than a patient’s social status, economic standing, or other non-medical factors. While this argument may seem justifiable, it raises concerns about the potential for discrimination and bias in medical decision-making. The definition of triage is the process of prioritizing patients based on the urgency and severity of their medical condition.
2. After considering Shapiro (2020) NPR story, “People with Disabilities Fear Pandemic will Worsen Medical Biases,” share an example of bias you witnessed during the physical isolation period and how this would go against one of the philosophers’ theories we have read and why.
During the physical isolation period, I witnessed a bias towards patients without COVID-19. Due to the overwhelming number of COVID-19 cases, non-emergency medical procedures and appointments were often postponed or cancelled. This would go against the theory of utilitarianism, which argues that actions should be taken to maximize overall happiness and well-being, rather than focus on the needs and wants of specific individuals. In this case, the bias towards non-COVID-19 patients caused harm to those who required medical attention but were deemed less urgent than those with COVID-19.