Ethical Foundations Flashcards
What is ethics?
- knowing the difference between what you have a right to do and what is right to do
- system of moral beliefs that deal with the concepts of right and wrong
What are morals/morality?
- a sense of right and wrong
- related to your values, duty and character
How many types of morality are there?
3
What is personal morality?
values and principles individuals personally live by and believe to be morally right and sound
What is group morality?
values that are adopted as part of a self-selected subgroup
What is societal morality?
what our society approves of being right and acceptable
What can influence our personal ethics and morals?
- personal/spiritual/religious values
- authority figures
- family
- cultures
- social norms
- personal experiences
What is the teleological theory?
- focuses on the effect, consequences, or end result
- minimizing adverse consequences while bringing about the greatest good
- ‘the end justifies the means’
What is the deontological theory?
- focuses on the rules without particular concern for the consequences
- forms the basis for religious commandments/ edicts, codes of conduct, and societal laws
What are biomedical ethics?
- field of study and professional practice interested in ethical issues related to health
- field grows with advances in medical technology
Why are ethics in health care unique?
- patients are more vulnerable to exploitation
- delivery of health care to patients is often necessary on an emergency basis
- consequences of bad decisions have the potential to be life altering
How many ethical principles are there?
6
What is ethical principle 1?
Autonomy - self-determination that is free from controlling interferences by others and personal limitations preventing meaningful choice
What is ethical principle 2?
Beneficence - patient care is in the best interest of the patient
What is ethical principle 3?
Non-maleficence - providing care without doing harm by omission or commission
What is ethical principle 4?
Justice
What are the 2 types of justice?
distributive and comparative
What is distributive justice?
how equitably health care services are distributed at the societal level
What is comparative justice?
equitable distribution of health care services at the individual level
What is ethical principle 5?
Fidelity - maintaining your commitments to your patients, your profession, your employer, etc.
What is ethical principle 6?
Veracity - duty to be truthful and honest
What does the CKO’s REACH acronym stand for?
R - respect
E - excellence
A - autonomy and well-being
C - communication, collaboration, and advocacy
H - honesty and integrity
What is step 1 to ethical decision making?
recognize that there is an ethical issue
What is step 2 to ethical decision making?
Identify the problem and who is involved
