Advanced directives

Introduction This assignment will explore ethical, legal and professional issues surrounding advanced directives. The writer will attempt to objectively critique the literature relating to the study area and it's relevance to issues of justice and diversity. The assignment will employ the four principles of health care these being, justice, autonomy, beneficence and non-maleficence. Considerations of the findings of the review, the implications for practice and the impact on care provision will be discussed and a conclusion containing a reflective summery of the process of enquiry considering how the writer's individual values, beliefs and attitudes have been challenged. What is an Advanced Directive? Advanced directives are a way for patients to exercise their right by preparing for a time when they may lose their capacity to make or communicate a decision and allows a competent adult to indicate which treatments they would or would not want to have at the end of life, if they were to become seriously ill and were then unable to state their values and wishes (Davis, Aroskar, Liaschenko and Drought 1997) see appendix. When making an advanced directive a person is asking the medical profession not to give them certain medical treatment. (Dimond 2002). Legal, Ethical and Professional Discussion In 1976 Joe Quinlan asked a US Court to allow him to make a legal decision for

  • Word count: 3342
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Medicine and Dentistry
Access this essay

Is there a link between the MMR triple vaccine and the increasing number of cases of autism?

Is there a link between the MMR triple vaccine and the increasing number of cases of autism? What is the MMR vaccine? The MMR vaccine is a three-part vaccine, given by injection, which is used to immunise against Measles, Mumps and German Measles (Rubella). In the UK it is given to children at 12 to 15 months, with a booster dose before they begin school, usually between 3 and 5 years. Measles, Mumps and Rubella all have serious symptoms and can be fatal. Measles can cause respiratory problems, ear infections and meningitis. Mumps can cause deafness, and before the vaccine, was the biggest cause of viral meningitis in children. Rubella can cause inflammation of the brain and also can affect blood clotting. In pregnant women especially, it can cause miscarriage or health problems for the newly born child such as brain damage or heart conditions. The vaccine is freeze dried during preparation and contains live particles of the three viruses, which have been altered to prevent them producing the full effects of the disease. How many people receive the MMR vaccine? In 1988 the MMR vaccine was introduced in the UK. The number of vaccines given was at its peak in 1996, when the percentage of MMR vaccine take-up in children was 92%. This figure fell to 82% in 2002. Many parents are faced with the decision to listen to the reassurances by the government and the

  • Word count: 1422
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Medicine and Dentistry
Access this essay

Reflective Portfolio

This assignment will illustrate instances wherein reflection as a nursing approach has helped me in my professional and personal development. This assignment is about my nursing experiences during my first clinical placement. This assignment also relates and focuses on patient confidentiality. I have chosen Gibbs (1988) Reflective Cycle framework for reflection. I hope to demonstrate my ability to reflect on a specific incident during which I have observed and practiced. During this process of reflection, I aim to demonstrate my ability to link theory to practice. Reflection has also enabled me to have a better understanding of myself and my professional practice. During this process, I became aware of some uncomfortable feelings which have stemmed from experiences which I needed to explore to identify the root of my concerns. Having analysed these feelings and knowledge, I hope that this assignment would illustrate that as a reflective new practitioner, I have arrived at new perspectives and action plans. According to Gibbs (1998) Reflective Cycle provides a straight forward and structural framework and encourages a clear description of the situation, analysis of feelings, evaluation of the experience, analysis to make sense of the experience, conclusion where other options are considered and reflection upon experience to examine what the professional would do should the

  • Word count: 2256
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Medicine and Dentistry
Access this essay

MMR Vaccination.

MMR Vaccination MMR vaccine is a three part vaccine, given by injection, which is to protect (immunise) against Measles, Mumps and German Measles (Rubella). In the UK it is given to children at 12 to 15 months, with a reinforcing dose (a booster) before school, usually between 3 and 5 years. The Vaccine The vaccine is a freeze-dried preparation which contains live virus particles of the three viruses, which have been modified (attenuated) to stop them from producing the full effects of the disease. The vaccine is given, by injection, into the upper arm, thigh or buttock. It has been found that a booster, before school, makes it likely that more people will be properly protected. The idea is to fool the body's defence system into thinking it is under attack by the viruses, and to produce defence mechanisms (antibodies) which will fight off the conditions if they are encountered in the future. There is no risk of someone who has been vaccinated infecting other people with the viruses. Usually the vaccine is for children, but it can be given to non-immune adults. It is suggested that people in long term institutional care, who are not immune, should have the vaccine. It is also recommended that

  • Word count: 1174
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Medicine and Dentistry
Access this essay

Clinical care case study. Mrs. Burton was left with a mixture of emotion mostly feeling of dissatisfaction after her appointment, especially as she had been so nervous and apprehensive about seeing the doctor in the first place. Mrs. Burton had suspected

Name: Nazrean Sajawal GT Group: 12 Guidance Tutor: Fiona Watson Foundation Studies Intake: March 2010 Cohort Module Marker: Submission Date: 4th January 2011 Module Title: This assignment will be identifying a service user from my clinical placement as well as discussing an episode of care that was received from a service user's perspective. This occurred during one of the days that the student nurse worked at the clinical placement. The term for person centre care is mentioned frequently in the older people literature, particularly in dementia care. Brooker (2004, p.219) proposes that 'in person-centred care the relationships between all the people in the care environment should be nurtured'. Similarly, McCormack (2004) proposes that relationships, environmental conditions and individual values epitomise person-centred gerontological nursing. The name of patient and the clinical placement will not be named as it preaches one of the codes of conduct from the Nursing and Midwifery Council, which is confidentiality (NMC, 2008). Throughout the assignment the service user will be called Mrs. Burton. The nurse patient relationship appears to be good between the student nurse and Mrs. Burton. Therefore, it was consider relevant to interview Mrs. Burton who had a positive and negative experience on care that they had received. There will also be relevant literature to

  • Word count: 2384
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Medicine and Dentistry
Access this essay

Praxis Note on Evaluating the outcome

Look back Being in my community placement for the past four weeks, I have met many different staff in the home and many of them are very kind hearted people. They know the resident's need and they do what they can to strive for that goal. I feel very fortunate to see so many kind-hearted staff in the home where the staffs are very strong-minded and will advocate for the resident's need. They know how to calm these resident down when there are agitated and restlessness, knows what these resident like to eat and drink and they even knows their prefer bathroom routine. My point is that these staffs know their residents very well. When so many people and kind-hearted and are working together, there is no doubt that these residents are not lacking of any basic necessities. What troubles me in the past is that I see some of the resident's dignity and right has been neglected. Elaborate Providing care in the community is challenging. Often different people has their own ways of thinking, they work and prioritizes differently. It is not uncommon for different staffs to have their own opinion towards a similar task or situation. The problem is when this situation arises in a health care setting, there is no one person can who is right or wrong and decide what the best approach is that is the most beneficial for the resident. In my past couple of weeks in the home, I have seen

  • Word count: 1569
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Medicine and Dentistry
Access this essay

Anaphylactoid reactions from Iopromide in patient with angina undergoing angiography - Pharmacovigilance Brief Report Essay

Article Title: Anaphylactoid Reactions From Iopromide In Patient With Angina Undergoing Angiography Article Keywords: Iopromide, Contrast Media, Anaphylactic, Anaphylactoid Reactions, Adverse Reactions Key Points: * Iopromide, a non-ionic iodinated contrast media, is known to have the highest occurrence in causing anaphylactoid reactions. * The use of Iopromide in patient with history of angina undergoing angiography need to be monitored intensively as the adverse reactions are likely to occur. * Healthcare professionals who are using iodinated contrast media need to recognise and treat anaphylactic reactions immediately and appropriately. * In patients with previous hypersensitivity to contrast media, premedication with antihistamines and/or corticosteroids is recommended. Word Counts: 1379 (exclude page 1 and references) BRIEF REPORT Anaphylactoid Reactions From Iopromide In Patient With Angina Undergoing Angiography SUMMARY/ABSTRACT A 55yr old patient with a history of angina is being assessed for a coronary bypass. Undergoing an angiography, on infusion of non-ionic iodinated radio contrast media (Iopromide), incidence is occurred. Clinical manifestations are consistent with anaphylactoid reactions. The patient becomes confused, appears flushed and also develops palpitations, angioedema, hypotension and bronchoconstriction. Following treatment with

  • Word count: 1773
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Medicine and Dentistry
Access this essay

A Review of Two Journal Articles.

A Review of Two Journal Articles INTRODUCTION I have chosen to review 'How the media reports medical errors: Blunders will never cease' (BMJ 2001;322:562) by T. Jackson, and 'Medicine and the media: Media dents confidence in MMR vaccine' (BMJ 1998;316:561) by N. Begg et al. Both articles insinuate that the media misinforms the public about health issues. I shall provide a critical analysis of these articles, focusing on the usefulness and the impact of these articles on clinical practice. I shall also look at the research methods used by the authors to come up with the basis of their argument. CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF 'HOW THE MEDIA REPORT MEDICAL ERRORS' The argument put forward by Jackson is that doctors will always make mistakes, and whilst the media will place blame on the doctors, the system should be blamed instead. His main argument is that "the extent of errors and the system failures are overlooked". The way this argument is presented is in a style that reads more like an opinion. There is a distinct lack of evidence. Jackson talks about two 'blunders' but only quotes newspaper headlines about one of the cases. He also only uses headlines from two newspapers. Similarly, Jackson makes points but doesn't back them up with any evidence. For example he says, "Mistakes of the kind that led to such deaths are not as rare as the public believes" but has no figures to

  • Word count: 916
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Medicine and Dentistry
Access this essay

With medical advances promising ever more detailed pre-natal genetic screening, do we have a duty to prevent the birth of physically and/or mentally impaired individuals?

With medical advances promising ever more detailed pre-natal genetic screening, do we have a duty to prevent the birth of physically and/or mentally impaired individuals? ABSTRACT: Medical advances, notably PGD, offer the chance to ensure that children can be born with much lower chances of developing disabilities. It is argued in this essay that disability itself is always a hindrance, and it is not only society's right, but its duty to prevent disability where possible to ensure social justice. Arguments against the proposition are addressed, notably the view that working to eradicate disability indicates a lack of respect for existing individuals who are disabled. This is refuted, and it is concluded that just as established medicine works to promote health to the cost of disease, these emerging technologies are morally justified and their implementation required where resources allow. ESSAY: Disability has traditionally had a significant social stigma attached to it. It is usually defined in terms of some sort of impairment to the individual, whether physical or mental, which prevents them from performing one or more day-to-day activities as well as a normal human being in similar circumstances.i It is uncontroversial to suggest that society has a duty to accommodate these individuals, and for medicine to seek to improve or cure their conditions. Much more contentious

  • Word count: 2781
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Medicine and Dentistry
Access this essay

MMR Jab - Vaccine or Poison

MMR Jab - Vaccine or Poison Introduction "I have no doubt that the best thing you can do for your child is to give him or her the MMR vaccine. This is the safest way for you to protect your children against the dangers of measles, mumps and rubella." quotes Dr H Campbell, Chief Medical Offer - Northern Ireland (2002). On the other hand, Dr Andrew Wakefield (1998) -(a strong opposer to the MMR) - suggests that there is a link between MMR and autism. The individual parent decides, if their child, receives the MMR vaccine or not! The Public Health Authorities advise parents to give children the vaccine, based on existing evidence, and yet, there are some doubts? Proof in the Pudding! "A 13-year old boy, brain damaged after the controversial MMR jab, still has remains of the vaccine in the injured areas of his brain". Sunday Express, 6th October 2002, an exclusive article by Lucy Johnston, Health Editor. The child appeared to be developing normally until 15 months of age, then he was given the MMR jab. Only days after receiving the vaccine a rash broke out, his development stopped, he began to have violent seizures, which became more frequent - sometimes every few minutes. At nine years old, he was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit at Southampton General Hospital. Doctors, twice tried to break the cycle of convulsions with an anesthetic, each time he was brought

  • Word count: 963
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Medicine and Dentistry
Access this essay