Who should participate in the resolution of ethical dilemmas?

• A. The patient, the patient's family, and participants from all health care disciplines
• B. The patient and the physician
• C. Only the health care team
• D. The hospital administration

Answer: (A)

Resolving ethical dilemmas works best when all affected parties are involved. When the patient’s autonomy is respected, their preferences and values guide the decision, and family members often offer important context about the patient’s lifestyle, cultural or religious beliefs, and daily needs. Bringing in participants from all health care disciplines adds diverse expertise—nursing, medicine, social work, ethics, and other professionals—so options are explored from multiple angles, benefits and risks are weighed, and practical solutions are identified. This collaborative approach helps align care with the patient’s goals, supports informed consent, and builds trust, while reducing the risk of overlooking crucial information or imposing a decision from a single perspective. Excluding the patient, family, or other disciplines undermines patient-centered care and can lead to choices that don’t fully reflect the patient’s values or real-world considerations. Therefore, the best approach is to include the patient, the patient’s family, and participants from all health care disciplines.