Biomedical Ethics

Moral Argument Essay #1

Introduction

Medical practitioners should ensure that services rendered to patients are in accordance with the

principles of biomedical ethics. In the case of Mr. S, the principles of beneficence and autonomy should

help the attending physician to act according to the patient’s request. In particular, autonomy through

effective deliberation and authenticity, the medical practitioner’s primary duty and the expected short

and long-term beneficence should inform the doctor’s decision.

Position

I sanction the prescription of the Viagra drug to Mr. S, but then closely analyze his health condition. A

comprehensive review of Mr. S.’s case, reveals that he has a problem that he is not willing to share with

the physician assistant. On one hand, it might be true that Mr. S. is underperforming sexually, which

may be a side-effect of his antidepressant drug(s) that the physician prescribed. Therefore, being an

issue that affects his personal life, Mr. S. may not be willing to share the challenges he is facing with the

physician assistant. On the other hand, Mr. S. may want to improve his sexual performance. Obviously,

Mr. S was advised by a friend in the gym to use Viagra as it would enhance his sexual stamina.

Therefore, motivated by the desire to know the efficacy and effectiveness of the drug, Mr. S. may be

seeking Viagra prescription to overcome a personal milestone.

Beneficence Argument

According to the principle of beneficence, medical practitioners are obliged to ensure that all services

rendered in nursing care practice are of utmost benefit to the patients. Indeed beneficence is a primary

duty for all medical practitioners (Yeo and Anne, 57-59). Beneficence involves the short and long-term

benefits of a certain decision to the patient.Sexual dysfunction has been attributed to be a cause of

depression. Thus, the condition maybe contributing to the patient’s depression. Depression is treated

through medication as well as alleviating the stressors that might contribute to the condition. Since the

patient is already taking antidepressants, it is prudent to also consider eliminating other stressors such

sexual dysfunction. A Viagra prescription in this case should help eliminate some of the causes of Mr. S

depression thereby treating his initial condition. The prescription will eliminate the long-term harm of

depression by giving the patient a confidence boost.The short-term benefit is that Mr. S regains his

sexual performance, while the long-term gain is the alleviation from his depression. Based on these

observations, I would grant Mr. S request for Viagra prescription to assist with his problem of sexual

dysfunction.

Autonomy Argument

The law of autonomy states that an individual has the legal right to determine what activities to

undertake. In this case, an individual has the capacity and ability to make reasoned judgments about

participating in an activity without coercive influence. It should be based on effective deliberation. Mr.

S’s decision should be based on logical reasons that he can explain to the physician assistant (Yeo and

Anne, 94). In this case, he experiences sexual dysfunction and after some research from close people he

has realized Viagra might help solve his problem. Mr. S. decision is logical and as the attending physician

I should help him to overcome the sexual dysfunction that might be attributed to his current

medication. Furthermore, autonomy should be based on authenticity in the sense that patient’s

requests and decision reflect their character (Yeo and Anne, 94-95). In many cases, it is common for men

to feel shameful about their lack of sexual performance. Even in the scenario, Mr. S seems reluctant to

discuss the topic. Thus, his request is unusual but not out of character since he has been consistently

reluctant to discuss the issue with his physician assistant. Thus, as the physician assistant I would

support the attending physician writing the prescription with the condition that he should consent to

being monitored closely about the issue to avoid any possible complications.

Conclusion

Ensuring effective patient care incorporates principles of beneficence that emphasizes the benefits and

autonomy of an individual to make decisions. Mr. S has a problem and requests for a prescription to

solve it. His reasons are autonomous as indicated by his effective deliberation and authenticity. As

medical practitioner based on beneficence as a primary duty and the expected short and long-term

benefits I would grant his request for a prescription to solve his problem.

Works Cited

Yeo, Michael, et al. “Beneficence.” Concepts and cases in nursing ethics, edited by Yeo, Michael, et al.

Broadview Press, 2010, pp. 103-116.

Yeo, Michael, et al. “Autonomy.” Concepts and cases in nursing ethics, edited by Yeo, Michael, et al.

Broadview Press, 2010, pp. 91-97, 103-109.