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Examples Of Paternalism In The Movie Wit

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In the opening scene of the movie Wit, the main character has just been diagnosed with stage five ovarian cancer by Doctor Kelikan. This scene portrays the deprivation of informed consent to Vivian. Informed consent is when physicians evaluate all possible options with the patient in order to determine which treatment is most suitable for them. It is accepted that every mentally stable adult has the right to decide what happens to their body, otherwise considered autonomy. Dr. Kelikan simply tells Vivian that her cancer is "insidious" and she is at the highest stage in her ovarian cancer. Vivian was simply told that the treatment offered to her was the best thing they had to offer. In informed consent, physicians should provide all different types of treatment options; regardless of which treatment they believe is best. In the diagnosis of Vivian's cancer, it is almost implied that she does not have any other treatment options available to her. Dr. Kelikian, although having a medical background, does not know what routes Vivian …show more content…

This scene displays paternalism towards the patient. Paternalism is the best interest of the person whose autonomy is being compromised. Jason does not respect Vivian's right of not wanting to be resuscitated because he only views her as 'research'. The nurse Susie protects Vivian's paternalism by calling off any act of resuscitation. The nurse displays extreme paternalism because she is preventing harm to her patient. Vivian was in severe distress and pain therefore requested to not be revived if her heart failed. This is an act of paternalism because the nurse has the patient's best interest in mind. Once her heart had failed it would against her autonomy to resuscitate her. The nurse was protecting her autonomy because of her diminished state, and therefore she was respecting the patient's

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But the pain didn’t go away until she went again and again and, “Henrietta told her doctors several times that she thought the cancer was spreading, that she could feel it moving through her, but they found nothing wrong with her.” (“The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks”, Chapter 8, Page 62 by Rebecca Skloot). She had a feeling that something was wrong with her because she felt a lot of pain in her vaginal area and it was not normal. The doctors knew that something was wrong but refused to tell her. “This was a time when ‘benevolent deception’ was a common practice- doctors often withheld even the most fundamental information from their patients, sometimes not giving them any diagnosis at all.

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Evans and the Ohio Department of Corrections failed Tomcik in applying basic ethical theories. Normative and applied ethics were not followed because the minimal standard of care in this case called for palpitation of the breasts, which was not done. If the physician knew that palpitation of the side of Tomcik’s breasts was the correct minimal procedure to detect cancer and he did not complete it, he failed to apply the theory of how he should behave. Deontological ethics were failed as the doctor was duty-bound to “do no harm or injustice”. (Greek Medicine, 2012)

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But in Donald’s case it was the total opposite. He went to the hospital with his mind already made up to die, which goes against what the doctors have being taught to do, and the principle of beneficence. The doctors decided to reject his autonomy because they knew he had an immense possibility of having a happy live and not just simply acting in a paternalistic way. In the end the doctors decisions was the right choice, when Donald stated, “I am enjoying life now, and I’m glad to be alive” (Munson6).

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I found this movie interesting because I agree with what the film implied on how all patient share a commonality called vulnerability. In the movie Wit, you are allowed a peek into the medical world that shows disregard for humanity. The film revolves around an English professor, Vivian Bearing, being diagnosed with stage four ovarian cancer, the treatment, and how her professional status is taken away for being a patient. A major theme of this movie is dependency on others by chronicling Vivian 's trial treatment and it allows the viewers a peek into the world of a patient dying from cancer. After watching the film, I noticed that there were a lot of significant moral issues, which correlates with the nursing profession.

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The four core ethical principles that are called into question in the movie “Miss Evers’ Boys” are autonomy, beneficence, nonmaleficence, and justice. Autonomy refers to the right of the patient to function independently and the ability to self-direct. This means that patients are entitled to decide what will happen to them, and if deemed competent, they have the right to either consent to or refuse treatment. All nurses and healthcare personal would be required to respect the patient’s wishes, even if they do not agree with them. Beneficence is the core principle that refers to the act of ‘doing good’ and advocating for the patient.

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The movie Wit (Bosanquet & Nichols, 2001) focuses on Dr. Vivian Bearing, an English professor who is diagnosed with an aggressive form of ovarian cancer. It chronicle’s Vivian’s experiences with her health care team up until her death. Throughout the movie her doctors, Doctor Kelekian and his fellows, most notably Jason, make many errors while treating Vivian. They communicate with Vivian in ways that make her feel overwhelmed and uncomfortable, violate ethical principles by ignoring her autonomy and not sharing critical information about her health with her, and failing to addressed her spiritual needs. Vivian’s nurse, Susie, does her best to care for Vivian.

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