Ethics

A Moral Dilemma

Angela M.BrookeNicholeFabio

Monday, February 18, 2013

Introduction

Jack Bean- 43 year old male

Patient of record @ Dr. Wisdoms office for past 7 years

Matilda, RDH of the office, is best-friends with Jack’s wife, Annie.


DilemmaMatilda has been a dental hygienist for 10 years and works full time at Dr Wisdoms office. Her best friend`s husband, Jack Bean, has been a patient of record for the past seven years. Upon updating his medical history at a recent visit, Jack stated that he was HIV-positive. After the initial shock, Matilda asked Jack how long he had been aware of his current health status. He told her that he had just been diagnosed HIV-positive within the past month. He also informed Matilda that his wife, Annie, was not aware of his condition.


Does Jack’s wife have a right to know her husband`s HIV status?

Is Matilda the appropriate person to tell her?

Does she have to act alone? Can others help her?

Should Matilda involve Dr. Wisdom?

Is the dentist required by law to report Jack’s HIV status?


Pro vs. Cons

Pros: -Getting a chance to protect your friend from getting HIV-Reporting to the local board of health, is ethically the right thing to do-You aren’t breaking any core values

Cons:-Friend feels betrayed that you didn’t tell her yourself-Friend contracts HIV in the process of waiting for the local board of health to inform her -Making a wrong decision could lead to the loss of your best friend, career, and/or loss of societal trust


Course of Action

Matilda made the decision to tell Dr. Wisdom about her dilemma. After a discussion with the dentist, the dentist called the local Board of Health for assistance. The local Board of Health should have a specific policy and procedure concerning partner notification. This policy would allow a third party to inform Jack’s wife, without identifying Jack, that she has been in contact with HIV. The local Board of Health would not identify who reported the contact. Some states do not require dentists to report cases of HIV, but they do require physicians to report such cases. Whatever the law is in your state, a call to the local Board of Health is appropriate.


Results

Annie is now aware of Husbands condition

Matilda found out they are receiving couples therapy

Friendship is not affected and Matilda is thankful she was able to find out!!


Lesson Learned

Matilda’s biggest lesson here, is that she can’t be both a professional AND a friend.

In fact, if she did not know the couple she wouldn’t feel the need to inform the significant other.

The reason it is a moral dilemma is beacuse she does know the couple, if she didn’t there would be NO DILEMMA.


Ethics

Documents

Transcript of Ethics