HSC0003 Ch 3
1. What is the purpose of ethics?
Ethics is a system of principles, or fundamental truths, a society develops to guide decision making about what is right and wrong. Ethical principles help people deal with complex problems that do not have easy answers. Ethical principles adopted by a society reflect that society's common, understood, and accepted principles for guiding behavior. Ethics reflect the religious, historical, and collective experiences of a group of people.
4. For each of the following ethical principles, explain its application to health care and describe the laws that support it.
Preserve life. This guiding principle for health care workers states that life is precious and that all possible means should be taken to preserve it. Many laws support the preservation of life. These include those prohibiting murder, abuse, and other physical harm. The prohibition of euthanasia relates directly to medical practice. Do good. Implicit in being a professional health care worker is the understanding that you will always provide your best effort and skills, without thought or want of added pay or other benefit. Laws include those that require patient consent; prohibit assault, battery, and false imprisonment; and provide for the protection of minors. Respect autonomy. Americans value autonomy, meaning the right to make decisions for themselves, by themselves. Patients have the right to make decisions about their own health care if they are mentally competent or have designated a specific, empowered third person to make decisions for them. This right is formalized in the Patient's Bill of Rights, developed in 1992 by the American Hospital Association. It is also recognized by many laws, like assault and battery statutes, which protect persons from intended harm. Uphold justice. In this instance, justice refers to fair medical treatment. Justice in this context requires that all patients (regardless of race, economic status, religion, nationality, or personal characteristics) receive the same care and consideration. Laws here cover many areas, ranging from the Federal Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act to the Occupational Health and Safety Act. Be honest. Health care that delivers the best treatment depends on honesty. Patients' trust in health care workers is vital to their well-being. Truth is also extremely important in relationships among health care workers. Laws that support honesty include those that prohibit fraud. Be discreet. Confidentiality is critical in health care. Information about a patient cannot be given to anyone outside the patient's health care team without the patient's written permission. Laws to protect confidentiality include those prohibiting slander and libel. Keep promises. Health care promises consist of contracts (although they are often informal and unwritten) known as implied contracts. These are oral agreements that become formal when they are carried out. The health care provider offers a specific service, a potential patient accepts the offer by requesting the service, and contract completion occurs upon provision and payment for the service itself. Failure to either provide the service or pay for it is a breach of contract. Do no harm. All health care workers function and perform in accordance with this rule. They must work within the scope of their practice, performing only those duties they have been trained to do. It is critical that safety rules are followed, and that medical advice is never given by a person who is not qualified to do so. Improperly offered treatment advice can result in charges of negligence and malpractice.
3. How are ethics and laws related?
Socially established and accepted ethical behavior is the basis for the creation of enforceable rules and laws. Put another way, laws are society's means of enforcing ethical principles.
2. What is the purpose of a professional code of ethics?
The professional codes of ethics for different health care occupations outline principles to deal properly with ethically challenging questions and situations. The codes set standards of professional conduct that both promote the welfare of patients and ensure a high quality of care. The practice of health care involves life and death issues that often are at the heart of ethical questions and considerations.
