The disparities that exist in the quality and outcome of healthcare services, as well as in their access to different populations, are referred to by health care inequity. The issue is one of public health importance that has a global impact on individuals and groups. Inequities in health care can be caused by a variety of factors including cultural, social and economic factors. As frontline health care providers, nurses play an important role in combating healthcare equity issues and making sure that patients get equitable treatment.
Moral philosophy is the study of values and principles that govern human conduct. The term encompasses a wide range of philosophical views, such as deontology and virtue ethics. Nurses’ decision-making processes are significantly influenced by their moral philosophies, which shape their values, beliefs, and attitudes towards patient care.
The principle of beneficence is one of the most important ethical rules in nursing. It requires that nurses act in their patient’s best interests. The ethical principle that beneficence is the best way to treat patients can be at odds with the realities of health care inequality and limited resources. A nurse, for example, may find it difficult to give optimal care to patients who do not have health insurance or can’t afford the necessary treatment.
The moral philosophy behind distributive justice is also a guide for nurses who are addressing inequities in healthcare. Distributive justice is the equitable distribution of resources and services in healthcare to everyone, regardless of socio-economic status. The nurses can promote policy changes to improve healthcare equity. For example, they could advocate increasing funding for health centers in the community, expanding coverage of health insurance, or improving access for preventive care.
Cultural competence is also essential for addressing inequalities in healthcare. Culture competence is the ability to appreciate and respect other cultures’ health practices and beliefs. The nurses must identify and remove cultural barriers to patient care such as discrimination, language barriers and lack of access culturally-appropriate health information.
As a conclusion, I would like to say that healthcare equity is a major public health problem which requires nurses’ attention and the action of other healthcare providers. Nurses’ moral philosophies can guide their decision-making processes and actions in promoting equitable healthcare services. Nurses can have a positive influence on their communities and patients by advocating policy changes, improving culture, and addressing disparities in healthcare.