Applying Decision-Making Models in Health Care

Applying Decision-Making Models in Health Care

Grand Canyon University

HLT-305

Dear patient,

I again would like to give my sincere condolences on receiving the news about your terminally illness. Because of receiving this news, you must be thinking this is the end, but it is only the end if you put your mind to it. I was taught something before back in my college days about a decision-making model that is very similar to this situation you are struggling with. This model I learned was known as the Kidder’s Checkpoints for Ethical Decision-Making, which determines as to whether or not the option you decide is something you can reflect on and determine other alternatives (Kidder’s Checkpoints for Ethical Decision-Making, n.d.). In his checklist, he questions as to whether or not your decision is ethical, if you know the effects of choosing this option, and if you have any doubt about this decision, reflect and learn from it and choose another option. For you, you should really consider your option and determine as to whether or not this is your destined fate.

Although you truly believe that there is no way out of this, there truly is still hope. Although it is ultimately you, as the patient to decide your fate, it is my duty, as your physician, to inform you about the alternatives aside from assisted suicide. Even with the ultimate fate at the end of this process, there is always a way to be able to enhance your life. Remember, if you choose the process of assisted suicide, there is no turning back. Other alterations includes professional hospice. This is a palliative care that can be given either at home or in a special facility where the purpose of this is to ease the physiological and physical pain of dying alone that many individuals tend to suffer from towards the end of their lives (Georges, Jane, 2007). This is an alternative for terminally ill patients because they often suffer from depression, which influences their decision to ultimately, proceed with the suicide. However, if a patient can treat the suffering, it can overall give them a different perspective on life.

If you, as a patient, decided to end it sooner than it should be, then it restrains you from seeing more of the world and the possibilities of expanding your horizons for the time-being. If you let fate take its place naturally, you can apply the cherished time you have now to see the world like you have always want to view it. You can write up a bucket list and check off those that you have passionately hoped of achieving your entire life. Those that see the expanded possibilities that can be withdrawn from assisted suicide tend to change their decision in order to experience as much as they are capable of (Mannuel, Christina E., 2002).

Not only are there alternatives that would enhance the experience of living, however today’s technology complicates the dying process. With today’s medication and treatment, it can increase a terminally ill patient’s life span from a few months to even a few years (Bruchem-van de Scheur, Grada G., 2008). Even though your ultimate fate will still withstand due to your terminal illness, you could use it as a blessing because it will allow you to appreciate every second of your time, which could be alleviated with life-changing experiences. I really hope that I was efficiently capable of you to reconsider your option of physician-assisted suicide and enhance your resuming life experiences

Your Doctor, Tiffany Nguyen

References

Bruchem-van de Scheur, Grada G.(2008). Alleviation of Pain and Symptoms with a Life-Shortening Intention. Retrieved on November 8, 2015.

Georges, Jane. (2007). Relatives’ Perspective on the Terminally Ill Patients Who Died after Euthanasia or Physician-Assisted Suicide: A Retrospective Cross-Sectional Interview Study in the Netherlands. Retrieved on November 8, 2015.

Kidder’s Checkpoints for Ethical Decision-Making. (n.d.). Retrieved from: http://www.agsm.edu.au/bobm/teaching/BE/lect03-3.pdf

Mannuel, Christina E.(2002). Physician-Assisted Suicide Permits the Dignity in Dying: Oregon Takes on Attorney General Ashcroft. Retrieved on November 8, 2015.