Discuss this case more thoroughly, yet still informally with significant engagement of your classmates' responses. Make an initial post by 8 Feb then respond to at least two of your classmates by 10 Feb.
1) This really deals with how you look at the particular situation. From what we've been discussing recently is that the physician needs to be virtuous and focus on the patient's health and wellness rather than the profit they would get from this process. For physicians to employ their skills and knowledge into treatments like cosmetic surgery, I would say that it is ethically acceptable. These physicians are helping people with their wishes to obtain "better looks". To me this relates to personal trainers: why would they invest their time and work into a profession that does something similar? As silly as this sounds, I think that cosmetic surgery can be done by a physician that is acting on the basis of friendship and reciprocity. They, too, can recommend what's best for patients going under the knife, and have loyalty to the patients. 2) I will say that advertisements like the one described in Case 7 are unethical. For one, the people in the ads may have not been patients to begin with, and thus falsely advertise the physician's true skills. Not to mention this represents the essence of a business. It seems as if the physician is really in it for the money rather than his/her duty to patients. That, however, is not virtuous. 3) We like to think that medicine is a profession with stricter moral norms, but with the way the economy is today, and how government regulation is becoming more involved, I would say that medicine is more of a business, as a whole. Granted there are physicians that do the job because they are morally obligated, but the involvement of Obama Care, and insurance companies make it very difficult to determine what is right for the patients. And seeing advertisements like this on television makes me think that the world of physicians consists of just making money.
I was about to write my responses to these questions but then I realized that Zach answered them almost exactly as I was about to. I feel that he did a good job at answering these and only have a few things to add!
1.) I like how Zach was getting at the point that cosmetic surgery isn't always performed for vain reasons or purely for financial gain. Cosemtic surgery can help those who have permanent damage from an injury (such as burn scars), those with physical deformities, and even those who have mental issues that stem from body image issues. So like Zach said, as long as the actions are performed in a virtuous manner and the intention is always one of betterment then it should be ethically acceptable.
2.) I totally agree as these advertisements are taking advantage of people, praying on their insecurities, and doing nothing more than mentally harming others for personal gain.
3,) Ideally, medicine should be a profession held to high regard due to its stricter moral norms. Sadly, the world is far less than ideal and as such, medicine has become a business. Not saying that this is completely true across the board, but the focus of medicine seems to be straying away from helping others and only focusing on the financial gains.
So I'm going to have to disagree with both of you on the first question. If the surgery isn't helping improve the patient's health and well being then it shouldn't be done. Doctors are trained to use their knowledge and skills to help people become healthier, not prettier.
I see where you're coming from, Vic. But the way I see it, doctors are trained in all sorts of different specialties, and just because they are, for lack of a better word, "smarter" than an average person, doesn't mean that they HAVE to be trained in a certain field of medicine. That would be like in The Giver where everyone is assigned their career! EWWW
I think a helpful distinction here is cosmetic vs. reconstructive surgery/treatment. Another way to frame it is enhancement vs. restorative treatment. If we use that language, we wouldn't say that cosmetic surgery could help those with deformities or injuries. Reconstructive surgery, however, would.
1) If we are talking strictly about cosmetic surgery then I feel that it is ethically unacceptable for physicians to provide their medical knowledge and experience. Cosmetic surgery is just a way to make people think they are better than others because they have 'enhanced' looks. If we consider restorative treatment then I think that it is ethically acceptable because the doctors are helping the patient recover. Say if the patient was burned or in an accident then I fully support restorative treatment for the patient to counteract the damage done.
2) It is ethically unacceptable for physicians to advertise with the intent of personal gain. The advertisements in case 7 are taking advantage of people's insecurities and using them to make more money and obtain more patients. The models they are using most likely haven't even been treated by the doctors and were more than likely photo shopped before the ad was published for the public to show. They are perfect examples of false results and false advertisements.
3) Ideally medicine is seen as a profession with some of the strictest moral norms, but in today's world it is becoming less and less strict. This is due to the multiple insurances and policies that the doctors have to follow. Some doctors are suggesting procedures and tests because it will cost a fortune and the doctors will get it from the insurance companies, making medicine more of a business than a profession.
1) I think that physicians using their skills for cosmetic reasons is ethically acceptable. Although I'm not an advocate for cosmetic surgery, I do believe that if people want to spend a large amount of money "fixing" their flaws in their appearance, then it is their right to do so, and it is also the surgeon's right to perform those surgeries. I feel like this question is similar to asking if it is unethical for a podiatrist to treat feet (that rhymed) when he could have potentially studied more to be a heart surgeon... Not really the same question, but pretty similar. Every doctor has a specialty, and some specialize in areas that don't deal with life threatening illnesses or dysfunctions, while others do. It is the individual doctor's right to choose his (or her) specialty, and so therefore, so long as there are patients that require the doctor's attention and guidance, and the doctor is fulfilling his duty and complying to the patient’s needs, then he (or she) is NOT doing anything unethical.
2) The advertisements for the cosmetic surgery, however, are unethical in my opinion. As Zach, Craig, and Vic have all said before me, the models used in the ads are most likely not patients of the cosmetic surgeries being advertised, and are just regular, pretty, and of course photo-shopped, models. When deceptive photographs are employed, the prospective patients are being led down a dark path, and they are made to believe that they can too look like that model after they get a certain surgery done… people are too stupid to know otherwise… Such ads play on patient’s wishful thinking.
3) Unfortunately, medicine is becoming known more as a business these days, rather than a profession with strict moral norms. This question relates to Pellegrino’s essay about assuming virtue. Pellegrino said there were many situations in medicine that required more work than the duty originally called for, and often that aforementioned work called for standards of ethical performances that exceeded those prevalent in the rest of society. However, this proves an extremely difficult task. This is because ultimately, health care is a business, and health care professionals are pushed to make decisions that will better their business – they act in the interest of themselves rather than their patients’.
1) The world of plastic surgery is almost an all-cash business. Obviously, if no health condition exists to justify the surgery, an insurance company will not pay for a strictly voluntary, cosmetic surgery. I come in from this insurance company angle because it highlights the fact that the responsibility and risk for the surgery lies in the patient's hands. Going back to our discussion from previous blogs, the physician has an obligation to the patient to enable them to make an informed consent. If you needed an emergency appendectomy, a physician cannot make you undergo the surgery. Similarly, if you wanted a cosmetic procedure that is unnecessary, but what you wish, I do not see how the physician who specializes in this field of purely elective cosmetic surgery can tell you that you don't need the surgery, but tell someone else they do. In the US, a patient has the right to the emergency appendectomy, whether or not they can pay. The same is not true for cosmetic surgery. It is not a right. It is a service paid for by those who desire it. A cosmetic surgeon attends medical school and becomes a doctor of medicine so they can safely and correctly perform this service, but it is a service, nonetheless. Does that make it a business? Yes! But that does not mean it is unethical. This answers question 2) it is acceptable for physicians to use ads to gain such business because plastic surgery is, by definition, voluntary and unnecessary for the life of the individual to continue. 3) This is still a profession because for those who pay for it claim that it improves their lives. I will concede that some plastic surgeries are botched. However, the same is true for non-plastic surgeries as well. Some surgeons have left instruments inside patients, others have nicked arteries, and still others have had sutures come loose. These risks are not a reason to stop performing life-saving surgeries if the patient is aware of the risks and wishes to continue. The same is true for those seeking plastic surgery. The voluntary nature of the cosmetic procedure is no reason to say that this field is not a profession.
1) This really deals with how you look at the particular situation. From what we've been discussing recently is that the physician needs to be virtuous and focus on the patient's health and wellness rather than the profit they would get from this process. For physicians to employ their skills and knowledge into treatments like cosmetic surgery, I would say that it is ethically acceptable. These physicians are helping people with their wishes to obtain "better looks". To me this relates to personal trainers: why would they invest their time and work into a profession that does something similar? As silly as this sounds, I think that cosmetic surgery can be done by a physician that is acting on the basis of friendship and reciprocity. They, too, can recommend what's best for patients going under the knife, and have loyalty to the patients.
ReplyDelete2) I will say that advertisements like the one described in Case 7 are unethical. For one, the people in the ads may have not been patients to begin with, and thus falsely advertise the physician's true skills. Not to mention this represents the essence of a business. It seems as if the physician is really in it for the money rather than his/her duty to patients. That, however, is not virtuous.
3) We like to think that medicine is a profession with stricter moral norms, but with the way the economy is today, and how government regulation is becoming more involved, I would say that medicine is more of a business, as a whole. Granted there are physicians that do the job because they are morally obligated, but the involvement of Obama Care, and insurance companies make it very difficult to determine what is right for the patients. And seeing advertisements like this on television makes me think that the world of physicians consists of just making money.
I was about to write my responses to these questions but then I realized that Zach answered them almost exactly as I was about to. I feel that he did a good job at answering these and only have a few things to add!
Delete1.) I like how Zach was getting at the point that cosmetic surgery isn't always performed for vain reasons or purely for financial gain. Cosemtic surgery can help those who have permanent damage from an injury (such as burn scars), those with physical deformities, and even those who have mental issues that stem from body image issues. So like Zach said, as long as the actions are performed in a virtuous manner and the intention is always one of betterment then it should be ethically acceptable.
2.) I totally agree as these advertisements are taking advantage of people, praying on their insecurities, and doing nothing more than mentally harming others for personal gain.
3,) Ideally, medicine should be a profession held to high regard due to its stricter moral norms. Sadly, the world is far less than ideal and as such, medicine has become a business. Not saying that this is completely true across the board, but the focus of medicine seems to be straying away from helping others and only focusing on the financial gains.
So I'm going to have to disagree with both of you on the first question. If the surgery isn't helping improve the patient's health and well being then it shouldn't be done. Doctors are trained to use their knowledge and skills to help people become healthier, not prettier.
DeleteI see where you're coming from, Vic. But the way I see it, doctors are trained in all sorts of different specialties, and just because they are, for lack of a better word, "smarter" than an average person, doesn't mean that they HAVE to be trained in a certain field of medicine. That would be like in The Giver where everyone is assigned their career! EWWW
DeleteI think a helpful distinction here is cosmetic vs. reconstructive surgery/treatment. Another way to frame it is enhancement vs. restorative treatment. If we use that language, we wouldn't say that cosmetic surgery could help those with deformities or injuries. Reconstructive surgery, however, would.
ReplyDelete1) If we are talking strictly about cosmetic surgery then I feel that it is ethically unacceptable for physicians to provide their medical knowledge and experience. Cosmetic surgery is just a way to make people think they are better than others because they have 'enhanced' looks. If we consider restorative treatment then I think that it is ethically acceptable because the doctors are helping the patient recover. Say if the patient was burned or in an accident then I fully support restorative treatment for the patient to counteract the damage done.
ReplyDelete2) It is ethically unacceptable for physicians to advertise with the intent of personal gain. The advertisements in case 7 are taking advantage of people's insecurities and using them to make more money and obtain more patients. The models they are using most likely haven't even been treated by the doctors and were more than likely photo shopped before the ad was published for the public to show. They are perfect examples of false results and false advertisements.
3) Ideally medicine is seen as a profession with some of the strictest moral norms, but in today's world it is becoming less and less strict. This is due to the multiple insurances and policies that the doctors have to follow. Some doctors are suggesting procedures and tests because it will cost a fortune and the doctors will get it from the insurance companies, making medicine more of a business than a profession.
1) I think that physicians using their skills for cosmetic reasons is ethically acceptable. Although I'm not an advocate for cosmetic surgery, I do believe that if people want to spend a large amount of money "fixing" their flaws in their appearance, then it is their right to do so, and it is also the surgeon's right to perform those surgeries.
ReplyDeleteI feel like this question is similar to asking if it is unethical for a podiatrist to treat feet (that rhymed) when he could have potentially studied more to be a heart surgeon... Not really the same question, but pretty similar. Every doctor has a specialty, and some specialize in areas that don't deal with life threatening illnesses or dysfunctions, while others do. It is the individual doctor's right to choose his (or her) specialty, and so therefore, so long as there are patients that require the doctor's attention and guidance, and the doctor is fulfilling his duty and complying to the patient’s needs, then he (or she) is NOT doing anything unethical.
2) The advertisements for the cosmetic surgery, however, are unethical in my opinion. As Zach, Craig, and Vic have all said before me, the models used in the ads are most likely not patients of the cosmetic surgeries being advertised, and are just regular, pretty, and of course photo-shopped, models. When deceptive photographs are employed, the prospective patients are being led down a dark path, and they are made to believe that they can too look like that model after they get a certain surgery done… people are too stupid to know otherwise… Such ads play on patient’s wishful thinking.
3) Unfortunately, medicine is becoming known more as a business these days, rather than a profession with strict moral norms. This question relates to Pellegrino’s essay about assuming virtue. Pellegrino said there were many situations in medicine that required more work than the duty originally called for, and often that aforementioned work called for standards of ethical performances that exceeded those prevalent in the rest of society. However, this proves an extremely difficult task. This is because ultimately, health care is a business, and health care professionals are pushed to make decisions that will better their business – they act in the interest of themselves rather than their patients’.
1) The world of plastic surgery is almost an all-cash business. Obviously, if no health condition exists to justify the surgery, an insurance company will not pay for a strictly voluntary, cosmetic surgery. I come in from this insurance company angle because it highlights the fact that the responsibility and risk for the surgery lies in the patient's hands. Going back to our discussion from previous blogs, the physician has an obligation to the patient to enable them to make an informed consent. If you needed an emergency appendectomy, a physician cannot make you undergo the surgery. Similarly, if you wanted a cosmetic procedure that is unnecessary, but what you wish, I do not see how the physician who specializes in this field of purely elective cosmetic surgery can tell you that you don't need the surgery, but tell someone else they do. In the US, a patient has the right to the emergency appendectomy, whether or not they can pay. The same is not true for cosmetic surgery. It is not a right. It is a service paid for by those who desire it. A cosmetic surgeon attends medical school and becomes a doctor of medicine so they can safely and correctly perform this service, but it is a service, nonetheless. Does that make it a business? Yes! But that does not mean it is unethical. This answers question 2) it is acceptable for physicians to use ads to gain such business because plastic surgery is, by definition, voluntary and unnecessary for the life of the individual to continue. 3) This is still a profession because for those who pay for it claim that it improves their lives. I will concede that some plastic surgeries are botched. However, the same is true for non-plastic surgeries as well. Some surgeons have left instruments inside patients, others have nicked arteries, and still others have had sutures come loose. These risks are not a reason to stop performing life-saving surgeries if the patient is aware of the risks and wishes to continue. The same is true for those seeking plastic surgery. The voluntary nature of the cosmetic procedure is no reason to say that this field is not a profession.
ReplyDelete