Question

Please tell us instances where you had to use discretion, either at work, at school,or in your personal lives. Please explain the ethical dilemma involved.

Answer 1

As a healthcare professional, a doctor is required to maintain confidentiality and protect the privacy of their patients. However, there may be situations where the doctor has to make a difficult decision about whether or not to disclose confidential information in the best interest of their patient or the public.

For instance, if a patient has a contagious disease that poses a threat to public health, the doctor may need to inform the relevant authorities while keeping the patient's identity confidential. The doctor must use their discretion to balance the patient's right to privacy with the need to protect public health. This is an ethical dilemma where the doctor has to make a judgment call and use their discretion to do the right thing.