Question

In a case in which a pharmacist must decide which patient's needs take priority, what might the pharmacist consider?

Any effects that could possibly lead to the conclusion that dealing with one patient first would produce more net benefit overall.

A. The psychological effect of having one patient put off.
B. How sick each of the patients are.
C. How long each of the patients have waited.
D. All of the above.

Answer 1

A pharmacist may consider the psychological effect on patients, the severity of each patient's condition, and the length of time each has waited to decide on service prioritization. This aligns with utilitarian principles and ethical practices in healthcare.

Step-by-step explanation:

When a pharmacist must decide which patient's needs take priority, several factors could be considered to determine who to serve first. These include:

• The psychological effect of having one patient put off, which could exacerbate stress or anxiety related to their health condition.
• The severity of each patient's illness, considering how sick each of the patients is, to prioritize care for those in more urgent need.
• The wait time for each patient, ensuring fairness and managing expectations around service times.

In particular, the framework for making such decisions often aligns with utilitarian principles, which advocate for the greatest happiness for the largest number of people, but pharmacists must also consider ethical practices, such as patient confidentiality, the potential consequences of widespread antibiotic use, and the optimization of healthcare resources such as time and medicine.