Trisha Greenhalgh1. 1. Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, Radcliffe Primary Care Building, Woodstock Rd, Oxford OX2 6TD, UK. Electronic address: trish.greenhalgh@phc.ox.ac.uk.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Most writing about uncertainty in healthcare has addressed empirical uncertainty - that is, resulting from insufficient or conflicting facts. OBJECTIVE: To consider moral uncertainty by exploring how different theories apply to a single clinical case. METHOD: In this philosophical reflection, I briefly acknowledge empirical uncertainty before introducing and exploring the topic of moral uncertainty - defined as the question of what to do when we do not know what (morally) to do-using a case study of my own mother's deterioration and death from Covid-19. RESULTS: I identify and apply a number of philosophical theories relevant to managing moral uncertainty, including utilitarianism, deontology, practical rationality and feminist philosophy. CONCLUSION: Different moral theories lead to different conclusions about the best course of action in situations of moral uncertainty. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Detailed analysis and close reading of a single case can provide insights into how to act in morally complex situations, but learning is in the form of enriched understanding, not formulaic rules.
BACKGROUND: Most writing about uncertainty in healthcare has addressed empirical uncertainty - that is, resulting from insufficient or conflicting facts. OBJECTIVE: To consider moral uncertainty by exploring how different theories apply to a single clinical case. METHOD: In this philosophical reflection, I briefly acknowledge empirical uncertainty before introducing and exploring the topic of moral uncertainty - defined as the question of what to do when we do not know what (morally) to do-using a case study of my own mother's deterioration and death from Covid-19. RESULTS: I identify and apply a number of philosophical theories relevant to managing moral uncertainty, including utilitarianism, deontology, practical rationality and feminist philosophy. CONCLUSION: Different moral theories lead to different conclusions about the best course of action in situations of moral uncertainty. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Detailed analysis and close reading of a single case can provide insights into how to act in morally complex situations, but learning is in the form of enriched understanding, not formulaic rules.
Authors: Janet L Wale; David Chandler; Deborah Collyar; Dominique Hamerlijnck; Roberto Saldana; Zack Pemberton-Whitely Journal: Front Med Technol Date: 2022-01-25