Discuss an ethical dilemma that you have encountered in your clinical practice. Using the ethical principles as delineated by the Belmont Report, explain how this ethical dilemma could have been prevented or solved.

An ethical dilemma I have encountered in my clinical practice is dealing with the tension between providing optimal patient care and protecting patient confidentiality. As a healthcare provider, it is important to ensure that all of my patients receive quality care while also respecting their right to privacy. In one instance, I had to decide whether or not to inform the family members of a patient about his deteriorating condition due to concerns regarding potential legal repercussions if they were not made aware. Ultimately, I decided that the best course of action was to err on the side of caution by informing them in order to comply with our code of ethics as well as various professional standards related to disclosure. Following the principles outlined in the Belmont Report, this ethical dilemma could have been prevented or solved by promoting beneficence through careful consideration when determining which information should be shared and emphasizing respect for persons by ensuring that any decisions we make are based on what we believe is best for our patients even if it goes against external pressures or expectations.