L33 Ethics Flashcards
(24 cards)
33
What is ethics?
Ethics is a branch of philosophy focused on human values and moral principles. It deals with how people behave and how decisions are made about right and wrong, good and bad
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What are the four main branches of modern ethics and what do they focus on?
- Descriptive ethics studies what people actually believe to be right.
- Normative ethics proposes how people should act based on moral norms.
- Meta-ethics analyses the meaning and nature of ethical terms like “right” and “wrong.”
- Applied ethics deals with specific moral issues in real-world situations, such as medical, legal, and environmental ethics.
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What are some major normative ethical theories?
Deontological ethics focuses on duties and rules, where actions are right or wrong regardless of outcomes.
Consequentialist ethics, such as utilitarianism, judges actions by their consequences.
Virtue ethics emphasises the moral character of the individual.
Care ethics prioritises empathy, compassion, and relationships.
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Why is ethics important in healthcare?
Ethics ensures the prioritisation of patient wellbeing, builds trust, maintains professional integrity, guides complex decisions, promotes fair business practices, and supports collaboration across healthcare teams.
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How does applied ethics relate to pharmacy practice?
It includes decision ethics, clinical ethics, professional ethics, research ethics, and organisational ethics. It involves applying ethical decision-making when prescribing, dispensing, or advising patients.
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What is the principle of autonomy and how is it applied?
Autonomy means respecting a patient’s right to make informed decisions about their care. It includes the right to accept or refuse treatment. In certain situations, autonomy may be temporarily limited to protect the patient’s long-term ability to choose.
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What is beneficence in medical ethics?
Beneficence involves acting in the best interest of the patient by promoting their wellbeing and delivering beneficial care.
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What does non-maleficence mean?
Non-maleficence means “do no harm.” It requires healthcare professionals to avoid actions that could cause unnecessary harm to the patient.
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What is the principle of justice in healthcare ethics?
Justice refers to fairness and equality in healthcare. This includes ensuring equitable access, fair distribution of resources, and impartial treatment regardless of background or social status.
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What is the difference between ethics and law?
Ethics is a moral system developed by society and enforced through professional codes. It guides right and wrong behaviour. Law is created by the government to maintain social order and is enforced through the legal system. Ethics can go beyond legal obligations, and not all legal actions are ethical.
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What conditions define an ethical dilemma?
An ethical dilemma exists when a person must choose between multiple actions, each of which compromises an ethical principle. There is no perfect solution, and some form of ethical loss is inevitable.
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What is not considered an ethical dilemma?
Situations that are merely uncomfortable, or that have a clearly right or wrong solution, are not ethical dilemmas.
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Give examples of real ethical dilemmas in pharmacy.
Examples include supplying emergency contraception to minors, dispensing POMs without prescriptions, dealing with misuse of OTC medicines, managing confidentiality requests from family, identifying unknown tablets, and addressing unprofessional behaviour among colleagues.
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What ethical principles are involved in a palliative care case where increasing pain medication may hasten death?
Autonomy (patient’s informed wish), beneficence (relief from suffering), and non-maleficence (risk of causing death) all come into conflict.
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What ethical concerns arise if a patient with epilepsy refuses to inform the DVLA?
There’s a conflict between confidentiality and the duty to protect public safety. The pharmacist must consider professional judgement and the legal obligation to prevent harm.
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What ethical principles are involved in a palliative care case where increasing pain medication may hasten death?
Autonomy (patient’s informed wish), beneficence (relief from suffering), and non-maleficence (risk of causing death) all come into conflict.
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How many professional standards must pharmacists follow and why are they important?
There are nine professional standards set by the GPhC. They are vital for guiding ethical decision-making, maintaining trust, and ensuring high standards of practice in pharmacy.
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List the nine GPhC professional standards.
- 1) Provide person-centred care;
- 2) Work in partnership with others;
- 3) Communicate effectively;
- 4) Maintain and develop knowledge and skills;
- 5) Use professional judgement;
- 6) Behave professionally;
- 7) Respect confidentiality and privacy;
- 8) Speak up about concerns;
- 9) Demonstrate leadership.
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A patient refuses a potentially life-saving treatment despite understanding the risks. You believe the treatment would clearly be in their best interest. Which two ethical principles are in direct conflict?
A. Autonomy and Beneficence
B. Non-maleficence and Justice
C. Autonomy and Confidentiality
D. Beneficence and Justice
A. Autonomy and Beneficence
33
In a pharmacy, a colleague is suspected of dispensing POMs without prescriptions to themselves. What is your immediate ethical responsibility?
A. Speak to the colleague privately
B. Ignore it unless harm is caused
C. Speak up and report the concern
D. Alert the police immediately
C. Speak up and report the concern
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A patient asks for a medicine to help sleep. You suspect misuse based on their history. Which ethical principles must be considered in your response?
A. Justice and Non-maleficence
B. Autonomy and Justice
C. Non-maleficence and Professional Judgement
D. Beneficence and Care Ethics
C. Non-maleficence and Professional Judgement
33
In a case where a terminally ill patient requests an increased dose of morphine, which they know may hasten death, what would best describe this situation?
A. A breach of the law
B. A clear case of beneficence
C. An ethical dilemma
D. A standard protocol
C. An ethical dilemma
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Which GPhC professional standard most directly addresses situations where a pharmacist must override a patient’s wishes temporarily to protect their long-term safety?
A. Maintain confidentiality
B. Use professional judgement
C. Provide person-centred care
D. Speak up about concerns
B. Use professional judgement
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A pharmacist is asked by a family member for a patient’s medication details. The patient has not given consent. What is the ethical response?
A. Give minimal information
B. Share only what the relative needs
C. Decline and explain confidentiality rules
D. Ignore the question
C. Decline and explain confidentiality rules
