To summarise, this essay has discussed a moral problem of withdrawal of mechanical ventilation from a severely compromised neonate born with a terminal condition. The moral problem has been discussed using the moral framework of Principlism. The various principles helped identify the important dimensions of the problem. Principlism as an approach allowed the problem to be dissected and analysed.
It was easy to use and explored the actions the MDT needed to consider. Using an ethical theory which is familiar to healthcare professionals is also useful. Principlism is familiar within healthcare settings because it underpins the professional codes doctors and nurse work with (Edwards, 2009). The advantages of using this approach are it focused on Alfie and gave him a voice by concentrating on his best interests and ensuring any decision made had to focus on him and his needs.
Critics of Principlism such as Campbell (2005b) have argued that it does not focus on the patient but on the moral agent making the decision. This essay has shown that this is not true in all situations as Alfie was the main focus of the analysis. Nevertheless, there are drawbacks in using this approach as it can be ambiguous, subjective and does not necessarily consider emotions, religious beliefs and character traits. There was also a conflict within the principles depending on how it was viewed.
This is particularly apparent within the principle of non-maleficence. The parents viewed withdrawal as harmful and in direct violation of preservation of life. The MDT viewed the obligation to non-maleficence was to prevent suffering and cease futile treatments. The parents also believed it was unjust to terminate treatment but the MDT would have been aware Alfie was utilising a scarce resource.
Gordon et al. (2011) argues conflicts within the principles may be because there are no rules to follow. However, it can be argued the principles do provides rules when using this approach; everyone must benefit the patient, not harm the patient, respect the patient and treat the patient fairly. Additionally, the fact the principles are general can be considered a strength as it allows it to be adapted to suit the situation. Having specific rules may be useful but dilemmas in healthcare are always unique because patients are unique. Using a generalist theory allows the moral agent to adapt the theory to the particular moral problem they encounter.
Overall, Principlism is a useful moral theory as it can help start the difficult decisions that need to be made when caring for neonates. It can provide clinicians with a structured method of analysing emotive problems. It can also commence communication between clinicians and parents. Communication between parents and clinicians is a vital component of caring for a compromised neonate (O'Brien et al., 2010). When clinicians can reveal they are focusing on the child's best interests and trying to prevent harm through the principles of beneficence and non-maleficence it can help build trust. Parents will realise their child is the primary focus of the discourse.
Ethical decisions within healthcare are becoming more frequent as patients and relatives have higher expectations of services and treatments (O'Brien et al., 2010). In addition, medical technology has advanced and given compromised babies people the chance of life (Beauchamp and Childress, 2009). However, it does not mean they should have this life as life can be a burden and death preferable. O'Brien et al. (2010) clarifies what the aims of healthcare professionals should be: should be: