Comments on: The Ethics of Grey’s Anatomy http://www.vqronline.org/blog/2009/05/27/grays-anatomy/ A National Blog of Literature & Discussion Tue, 13 Dec 2011 00:47:38 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: Mandy Redig http://www.vqronline.org/blog/2009/05/27/grays-anatomy/#comment-2938 Mandy Redig Sat, 06 Jun 2009 01:24:29 +0000 http://www.vqronline.org/blog/?p=2275#comment-2938 Hmm, very interesting thought about the co-worker issue contributing to overriding a DNR. I'm sure that's what allows the show to keep going without seeming completely divorced from reality, since the Chief does know Izzie and in some sense might understand what she would want. My problem with that, however, is that he is in essence acting as her power of attorney for healthcare--person B who is supposed to make decisions on behalf of person A, should person A become unable to do so for herself. The catch is that person A has to name the POA....another legal classification. The Chief might think he knows what Izzie would want--and I think most of us watching would agree that he is right (she can't leave Alex all alone!)--but the catch is that she did not give him the right to make that decision. I think the whole situation also highlights another tricky aspect of medicine--what do we do when a colleague or family member of a colleague gets sick? There are so many tricky situations inherent to the patient-physician relationship already, that adding in a personal connection can make things really complicated. But, I do agree with you....it makes for addicting TV! I don't know about you, but right now I think Izzie might not make it while George will stick around.... And, Archana, I do agree: Grey's does often try to show multiple sides of an issue and then make it entertaining in the end. In fact, I think that's why I like it so much....despite all of the craziness, there is just enough reality to keep me engaged. What is hard, though, is when I start thinking about how people who don't have the same insider view of medicine or law or bioethics might perceive the situations presented. So many of them--especially on the ethical issues--are NOT how we do things, not even close. And what concerns me is that someone might be watching, draw an incorrect conclusion, and then--because of the influence of the media--decide not to follow through with medical care because of a misperception. Where to draw the line? I'm not sure. But for me, the DNR issue most definitely went too far. Hmm, very interesting thought about the co-worker issue contributing to overriding a DNR. I’m sure that’s what allows the show to keep going without seeming completely divorced from reality, since the Chief does know Izzie and in some sense might understand what she would want. My problem with that, however, is that he is in essence acting as her power of attorney for healthcare–person B who is supposed to make decisions on behalf of person A, should person A become unable to do so for herself. The catch is that person A has to name the POA….another legal classification. The Chief might think he knows what Izzie would want–and I think most of us watching would agree that he is right (she can’t leave Alex all alone!)–but the catch is that she did not give him the right to make that decision. I think the whole situation also highlights another tricky aspect of medicine–what do we do when a colleague or family member of a colleague gets sick? There are so many tricky situations inherent to the patient-physician relationship already, that adding in a personal connection can make things really complicated. But, I do agree with you….it makes for addicting TV! I don’t know about you, but right now I think Izzie might not make it while George will stick around….

And, Archana, I do agree: Grey’s does often try to show multiple sides of an issue and then make it entertaining in the end. In fact, I think that’s why I like it so much….despite all of the craziness, there is just enough reality to keep me engaged. What is hard, though, is when I start thinking about how people who don’t have the same insider view of medicine or law or bioethics might perceive the situations presented. So many of them–especially on the ethical issues–are NOT how we do things, not even close. And what concerns me is that someone might be watching, draw an incorrect conclusion, and then–because of the influence of the media–decide not to follow through with medical care because of a misperception. Where to draw the line? I’m not sure. But for me, the DNR issue most definitely went too far.

]]> By: Archana http://www.vqronline.org/blog/2009/05/27/grays-anatomy/#comment-2935 Archana Thu, 04 Jun 2009 05:37:04 +0000 http://www.vqronline.org/blog/?p=2275#comment-2935 I am a lawyer and also severly addicted to Grey's Anatomy. I am sure that its impossible such a bunch of crazy, passionate and at the same time, supposedly great doctors can exist all in one place. However they do in the magical land of Meredith Grey. Despite being aware that the same sitaution in real life would have possibly been more dry and the romance between doctors/doctors and patients not so dramatic - I still love it. Does the show answer any ethical/moral question? No. Do we see people like Izzy who constantly break the rules being fired - no. Does the show articluate and express the dilemna, present the two sides of the ethical coin and make it at the same time an expression of art ? Yes, it does and I think that's what its meant to do. I am a lawyer and also severly addicted to Grey’s Anatomy. I am sure that its impossible such a bunch of crazy, passionate and at the same time, supposedly great doctors can exist all in one place. However they do in the magical land of Meredith Grey.

Despite being aware that the same sitaution in real life would have possibly been more dry and the romance between doctors/doctors and patients not so dramatic – I still love it. Does the show answer any ethical/moral question? No. Do we see people like Izzy who constantly break the rules being fired – no.

Does the show articluate and express the dilemna, present the two sides of the ethical coin and make it at the same time an expression of art ? Yes, it does and I think that’s what its meant to do.

]]> By: M http://www.vqronline.org/blog/2009/05/27/grays-anatomy/#comment-2931 M Mon, 01 Jun 2009 20:02:42 +0000 http://www.vqronline.org/blog/?p=2275#comment-2931 Great article, Mandy. I share your embarrassed love of Grey's Anatomy. I thought it plausible the Chief could revoke the DNR as Izzie was his subordinate? Do you think this makes a difference - like if it was your co-worker could you override a DNR? Great article, Mandy. I share your embarrassed love of Grey’s Anatomy.

I thought it plausible the Chief could revoke the DNR as Izzie was his subordinate? Do you think this makes a difference – like if it was your co-worker could you override a DNR?

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