Question

Case study 3: You work in a hospital ER and a firm belief has developed among the staff that the ER is busier and there are more violent patients when there is a full moon. You notice that it is getting more and more difficult to staff the ER when the moon is full. One staff member in particular refuses to work during the full moon citing "religious reasons." 1. Identify the logical error or errors being made in the case study. 2. Explain what professional ethical standards may be called into question by this error (or errors). 3. What ethical behavior/response would you apply the situation?

Answer 1

Answer and Explanation:

1. The logical error that we can observe in these situations, is that the medical team is ignoring that in an emergency room all patients will be in critical situations, which can generate cases of violence and uncomfortable behavior. This does not depend on the phase of the moon presented, but rather on the nature of the environment in an emergency room.

3. The medical team's ability to act according to proven scientific concepts for patient care may be questioned. We can also question the team's ability to separate its beliefs and superstitions from the medical environment, which must be built based on evidence, agility and commitment.

3. My attitude in this case would be to refuse crazy explanations, based on beliefs without kinetic confirmation that any member of the team could have. Then, I would speak to my superior about the need to promote training for the team so that this type of thinking can be exterminated from within the medical environment.