Identify a recent breach of ethics in healthcare research that occurred within the last 10 years. If you locate a breach of ethics in healthcare research in the news, dig deeper by researching on the specific study, the lead investigator, universities that sponsored this research, or the FDA that monitors these studies for objective reports. In your initial discussion post, describe which of the principles you learned about in the module readings that were breached. What safeguards could have been put into place to prevent the breach?
Respond to at least two peers. Focus each response on healthcare research ethics and offer feedback and insight from your readings. Use evidence and in-text citations to support your responses.
Peer One: Hello everyone,
I located a research article about the growing HIV epidemic in Russia compared to the number of positive cases reported. The authors explore the stigmatization towards HIV+ individuals who choose to conceal their diagnosis through “hiding test results, paying bribes, or giving small presents so that the doctor would not indicate their HIV diagnosis in medical records” (Dudina, 2020). The authors did not state any specific breaches in healthcare ethics, instead finding evidence that numerous breaches or fears thereof are occurring and are “especially common in smaller towns” (Dudina, 2020). The ethical breaches included breaches of confidentiality, where information was released to unauthorized individuals through negligence or intention; denial of quality health care or receiving lower quality health care, where individuals reported their HIV diagnosis created a noticeable change in care; and prejudice in care, where patients found they were being judged by providers based on altered attitudes towards them. These breaches caused affected individuals to refuse seeking healthcare services in the treatment of a dangerous, yet treatable, disease. Proper safeguards would include educating the public on their rights and the laws designed to prevent ethical breaches in healthcare. Even perceived breaches in healthcare ethics can cause individuals to not seek healthcare services due to fear of being victimized and/or stigmatized.
Peer two: Hi Class,
A machine or software that can simulate intelligent human behavior, make calculations instantly, solve problems, and evaluate new data based on previously evaluated data is said to possess artificial intelligence (AI). Artificial intelligence has a significant impact on a wide range of sectors and domains, such as manufacturing and production, fashion, autonomous vehicles, agriculture and farming, sports analytics and activities, healthcare, and the medical system. Though it is a two-edged sword, this technology has the potential to affect both humankind and the industry in the future.
Nonetheless, there are several moral and legal issues in this scientific area. Though AI has advanced tremendously in communities and has the potential to improve treatment outcomes, not all societies have access to it. The newest technologies are still out of reach for many developing and low-income nations. The use of AI presents a number of challenges, including ethical conundrums, privacy and data protection, informed consent, social gaps, medical consultation, empathy, and sympathy. The four medical ethics principles—autonomy, beneficence, nonmaleficence, and justice in all facets of health care—should thus be taken into account by practitioners and experts prior to incorporating artificial intelligence into the healthcare system.
