Ethical Issues

-the systematic study of what a person's conduct and actions should be with regard to self, other human beings, and the environment
-a system of moral conduct- "should" behavior
-issues that guide a person's actions in regard to what is right and wrong

-occurs when two or more clear moral principles apply but they supporte inconsistent courses of action
-making a choice between two or more equally undesirable alternatives
-self-awareness is vital- know own values and their influence on your decision making

-an individual is unsure which moral principles or values apply and may include uncertainty as to what the moral issue is
-duties and obligations of health care providers guiding ethical principles are unclear
-individual personal standards

Result of the individual knowing the right thing to do but organizational constraints make it difficult to take the right course of action

-an individual witnesses the immoral act of another but feels powerless to stop it

Theological or consequentialist theory- outcome focused
-focus on rightness of an action based on the consequences produced
-judging whether the consequences of an action are good or bad
-make decisions based on what provides the greatest good for the greatest number of people

Deontological theory- judges whether the action is right or wrong REGARDLESS of the consequences
-individuals have basic inherent rights that should not be interfered with
-the right to make one's own decisions
-ex: people have a right to refuse care even if harm may come to them

Deontological theory
-some decisions must be made b/c there is a duty to do something or to refrain from doing something
-ex: manager hiring the best person for the job even if the personal cost is high

Deontological theory
-decision maker reviews each ethical problem on a case-by-case basis, comparing the relative weights of goals, duties, and rights
-this weighting is determined primarily by intuition-what the decision maker believes is right for this situation

-affirms the ability of an individual to determine his own course of action
-self-determination- a legal right
-form of personal liberty
-goes along with informed consent- pt. must have full disclosure of options, risks, ect.
-decisional capacity must be intact

-one person assumes the right to make a decision for another
-limits freedom of choice
-opposite of autonomy
-sometimes justified to prevent person from harm

Nonmaleficence- do no harm
-if you cannot do good, then one should at least do no harm
Beneficence- doing good
-must weigh the possible good against possible harm

-what is best for the common good outweighs what is best for the individual
-reflects utilitarianism

-obligation to treat all people fairly

-the obligation to tell the truth
-clients have the right to full and accurate information about their health status and treatment