Sargent’s Film “Miss Evers’ Boys”

The film Miss Evers’ Boys (1997) unveils some of the most urgent ethical issues in healthcare as a whole and nursing in particular. It is possible to consider the film in terms of rights-based ethics. Medics were observing health conditions of people suffering from syphilis (Sargent, 1997). The research revealed in the film might have had certain value as medics could observe symptoms at different stages of the disorder’s development which could be essential for diagnosing people in the future.

At the same time, participants of the research have the right to know about all details of the research as well as their condition. Houser (2015) notes that the Tuskegee experiment was one of the cases that led to development of particular regulations in the field. At present, researchers obtain a written consent from participants.

Clearly, participants get all information on the research (its purpose, terms and so on). I think the patients who participated in the experiment had the right to know that there was treatment of the disease. The ethical research would involve compensation of the risks and numerous negative outcomes for the patients involved. None of this was given to people involved.

Healthcare professionals have to make ethical decisions only. If a healthcare professional witnesses unethical behavior, he/she should disclose the case, to make it known to the healthcare unit’s management, corresponding authorities and so on. Furthermore, nurses have to communicate with patients and try to provide all the necessary information to them. Educating patients as well as participants of research can help eliminate unethical behavior and ensure that all rights of participants are respected. Nurses are closest to patients and, therefore, these healthcare professionals play a key role in eliminating unethical behavior.

Reference List

Houser, J. (2015). Nursing research: Reading, using, and creating evidence. Boston, MA: Jones & Bartlett.

Sargent, J. (Director). (1997). Miss Evers’ boys. New York, NY: HBO.