part one

This week we will be learning about the ethical theory utilitarianism. This week’s discussion will allow us to implement our knowledge of the theory in the form of a “thought experiment.” A “thought experiment” is a tool by which we can test a practice by examining an extreme scenario to see where the practice holds up and where the practice breaks down. After you apply utilitarianism to the scenario you are provided, you will then offer your own assessment as to whether utilitarianism has done a good job solving the dilemma.

Here is the situation:
You are running an organ donation laboratory. You play the role of the office manager, who controls the lab and the doctors within it. Currently, in the office, there are 5 patients awaiting organ transplants. One needs a heart, another, a liver, the third, a kidney, the fourth, a pancreas, and finally the last person needs a lung. Assume all the patients can accept any organ without their body rejecting it, and that all have only one day to live if they don’t get their transplants. A person comes in as a possible donor of a kidney for a family member and is found to match all 5 of the current dying patients.

You only have two options open to you: Will you do nothing and let 5 die, or will you kill 1 so that the 5 can live?

Directions:

1. Assess the scenario as a utilitarian and explain the course of action you will take and the rule of utilitarianism that guided your choice.
2. Explain your own ethical position. State whether you agree with the utilitarians or not, explaining your reasoning in either case.
3. Explore the ramifications of the choice you have made.

Part 2

Directions
As a health care professional, you may be asked to make difficult decisions throughout your career. Visit the Institute for Healthcare Improvement’s Case Study webpage (provided at the weblink below) and choose a case study to analyze. Then write a reflection in which you address the following:

• Using what you have learned about utilitarianism outline how a utilitarian would have resolved the ethical dilemma in the case study you chose.
  • Explain whether you agree with this resolution and justify your rationale.

Institute for Healthcare Improvement Case Studies

part 3

Complete all of the PortfolioProject

refer to PDF

Part 4

This discussion will explore the idea of Essential Questions. Since this may be a new concept or term for you, it is a good idea to familiarize yourself with what an Essential Question is and how you can create your own. For some information on Essential Questions, please take a few minutes and read over the information presented on the website referenced below:

Essential Questions Explained

Considering and evaluating essential questions will both aid in your understanding of our course topics and prepare you for the process of developing and writing your portfolio project. In this discussion you must respond to two (2) of the following essential questions. Once you have responded to the essential questions, identify an additional question you have about the course topics that will help in the research process.

1. What is health?
2. How do we determine the value and quality of life?
3. Is it desirable for health to evolve?
4. Should we strive to make people “better than normal?”
5. Is healthcare a right or a commodity?
6. Come up with another question here.

Please respond and give your rationale for each question in 2-3 sentences to complete your initial discussion post.