Page, Anne Beatriz Nicole D.

3NUR6

Bioethics
WIT
MOVIE REVIEW

1. What issues does the film raise?

After watching the film entitled Wit, I noticed that there were a lot of significant
ethical issues, which correlates with the nursing profession, that were raised in the story.
One of it is the proper way of upholding patients rights when it comes to medical
research. As a student nurse, I am aware that it is one of my ethical responsibilities to
ensure that utmost care and treatment are provided to my patients. Moreover, the movie
emphasizes the importance of our role as the patients advocate which means that we
should stand and do something whenever we see unethical nursing practices being
rendered to our patients. The doctors used Vivian as research subject, but Susie, her
nurse, struggles to guarantee the most beneficial care and treatment is provided for her.
This film depicts the significance of advocating and fighting for patients as well as their
rights in the nursing in order to ensure that they are receiving optimal medical treatment.
2. What do you see as the main purpose of the film?
This film aims to help us realize that every member in the healthcare team has their
own essential role to fulfil when it comes to the provision of patient care. The
responsibilities endowed upon each of them should not be taken for granted or ignored. It
should always be considered when preparing a plan for care and treatment because it
entails something beneficial to provide to the patients who are in need. As a nursing
student, it is sad to admit that , based on the things that I have witnessed in the clinical
setting, healthcare professionals do not always make sound medical judgments, and have
seen nurses who are somewhat neglectful to the patients needs. This film portrays that
importance of the role which nurses play within the healthcare system as they are the
ones who interacts with the patients most of the time.
3. Relate the film to class discussions, readings, notes or knowledge. Does it contradict
or support anything you have learned?
In Bioethics, we have discussed things about beneficence, non- maleficence,
justice, patients rights and nursing research. I think that there are situations in the
film which contradicts to these things. Like for example, Vivian cautiously consents
to the therapy and embarks on a undignified regime of eight cycles of chemotherapy,
wherein no other patient has completed before. The doctors continued the research
with the help of Vivian even though they knew that it is too risky and dangerous for
her. It illustrates the central ethical issue observed in this film: the conflict of interest

observed between clinical therapy and clinical research. This is intertwined with
clinical incompetence, issues of the proper way of presenting informed consent, end
of life decisions and Vivians disappointments with the health care teams insensitive
approach to their patients.
4. What are your reflections about the film?
As nurses, it is our professional duty and responsibility to take action when we see
other healthcare professionals not following the code of ethics, and report it as soon as
possible when necessary to guarantee ethical decision making and provision of utmost
care. The film made me realized the importance of my role as the patients advocate. I
believe that by taking action and reporting ethical dilemmas, we can ensure that the
principles of justice, beneficence, and non- maleficence are followed and the highest
level of health and well-being is achieved by our patients.