Question: The Role of Nurses Extends Beyond the Hospital Ward A nurse is a doctor's best friend, according to Marvin M. Lipman, Consumers Union's chief medical adviser. This advice was given to him by a hospital ward's head nurse when he was a third-year medical student making contact with patients for the first time, along with the suggestion that he'd do well not to forget it. Over the years, those words continued to echo in Lipman's mind. In part because hospital nurses work for the institution and many doctors work for themselves, occasional conflicts between the two are inevitable. When encountering such situations, he has generally tended to take the side of the nurses, sometimes to the chagrin of his fellow physicians. But he explains that his loyalty comes from the many times he has seen nurses go that extra step to make a patient more comfortable or more at ease. Nurse Practitioners. Studies have found that their ability to diagnose illnesses, order and interpret tests, and treat patients is equivalent to that of primary-care physicians. They also tend to spend more time with patients during routine office visits than physicians, and they are more likely to discuss preventative health measures. As of 2010, 140,000 NPs were working in the United States. Nurse practitioners are poised to become even more visible with the passage last year of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, which could add nearly 35 million people to the ranks of the insured
1. Gerard is a congenial, humorous, and respected person. His colleagues know that he does give his opinion if his sees a wrong that should be righted, whether it is for him or others. Should he have spoken up or remained silent? Discuss your answer.
2. Based on the Washington Post article, do you think Gerard might have had second thoughts about his concerns?
3. Describe the actions of Gerard's colleagues and what ethical theories might apply.