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D620 – Public Health Leadership and Administration
Task 2 - Ethical Dilemmas Faced by Healthcare Organization Leaders: Applying a Code of
Ethics and Analyzing Decision-Making in Public Health
, 2
Scenario A: Navigating Ethical Challenges in Telemedicine: Balancing Patient Privacy and
Healthcare Accessibility
A1: Ethical Challenge and Conflicting Values
The critical ethical challenge that faces the organization in scenario A involves the need
to balance issues of patient privacy and confidentiality with the objective of increasing access to
healthcare services using telemedicine and mHealth technologies. This organization has achieved
significant success in improving its delivery of healthcare services using its telemedicine
program and platform for rural residents and patients with limited mobility. However, several
data breaches and other security threats have led to the exposure of confidential information
related to patients' health, thereby calling into question the organization's capability of ensuring
safety of patient information during the expansion of digital services.
This scenario presents some obvious value conflicts that have been discussed in the
APHA Code of Ethics. First, Human Rights and Civil Liberties requires that personal autonomy,
privacy, self-determination, and freedom from domination be respected by ensuring the
confidentiality of health information (American Public Health Association, n.d.). Conversely, the
principles of Health Justice and Equity and Health and Safety call for broadening access to
essential services among vulnerable communities to foster well-being and decrease inequalities
(American Public Health Association, n.d.). Further, concerns over Professionalism and Trust
only add to this dilemma since any violation may cause loss of public trust. According to
Solimini et al. (2021), the privacy challenges associated with telemedicine, including security
breaches and unexpected exposure in remote environments often conflict the requirement of
equitable access, particularly during times of high demand.
A2: Justification of Domains
The two domains from the APHA Code of Ethics that will inform a plan to solve the
scenario A ethical challenge are Domain 3: Inform and educate the public about health issues
and functions, and Domain 7: Promote improved access to social resources conducive to
health and health care (American Public Health Association, n.d.).
Domain 3 can contribute to resolving the privacy-access challenge through transparency
and accuracy in communicating with patients and communities about the advantages, risks, and
safeguards of telemedicine systems. This domain aids in restoring professionalism and trust,
while also dealing with issues of privacy through risk communication and community
D620 – Public Health Leadership and Administration
Task 2 - Ethical Dilemmas Faced by Healthcare Organization Leaders: Applying a Code of
Ethics and Analyzing Decision-Making in Public Health
, 2
Scenario A: Navigating Ethical Challenges in Telemedicine: Balancing Patient Privacy and
Healthcare Accessibility
A1: Ethical Challenge and Conflicting Values
The critical ethical challenge that faces the organization in scenario A involves the need
to balance issues of patient privacy and confidentiality with the objective of increasing access to
healthcare services using telemedicine and mHealth technologies. This organization has achieved
significant success in improving its delivery of healthcare services using its telemedicine
program and platform for rural residents and patients with limited mobility. However, several
data breaches and other security threats have led to the exposure of confidential information
related to patients' health, thereby calling into question the organization's capability of ensuring
safety of patient information during the expansion of digital services.
This scenario presents some obvious value conflicts that have been discussed in the
APHA Code of Ethics. First, Human Rights and Civil Liberties requires that personal autonomy,
privacy, self-determination, and freedom from domination be respected by ensuring the
confidentiality of health information (American Public Health Association, n.d.). Conversely, the
principles of Health Justice and Equity and Health and Safety call for broadening access to
essential services among vulnerable communities to foster well-being and decrease inequalities
(American Public Health Association, n.d.). Further, concerns over Professionalism and Trust
only add to this dilemma since any violation may cause loss of public trust. According to
Solimini et al. (2021), the privacy challenges associated with telemedicine, including security
breaches and unexpected exposure in remote environments often conflict the requirement of
equitable access, particularly during times of high demand.
A2: Justification of Domains
The two domains from the APHA Code of Ethics that will inform a plan to solve the
scenario A ethical challenge are Domain 3: Inform and educate the public about health issues
and functions, and Domain 7: Promote improved access to social resources conducive to
health and health care (American Public Health Association, n.d.).
Domain 3 can contribute to resolving the privacy-access challenge through transparency
and accuracy in communicating with patients and communities about the advantages, risks, and
safeguards of telemedicine systems. This domain aids in restoring professionalism and trust,
while also dealing with issues of privacy through risk communication and community
