Moral Distress vs. Ethical Dilemma vs. Locus of Authority

When dealing with an ethical issue of the rightful distribution of the locus of authority, what are the 3 overarching questions one should ask when evaluating the situation

A - Who is the rightful moral agent in this situation? C - Who is the rightful agent to cary out the decision? O - Who will be held responsible for the outcome?

Explain what an Ethical Dilemma is

- A common type of sitiuation that involves 2 or more morally correct courses of action that cannot bother be followed - Meaning the moral agent is doing the right thing by taking one action, but are also not doing the right thing by NOT taking the other course of action

The feeling of moral distress may feel like;

- A knot in the pit of your stomach - A catch in one's usual confident stride +Questioning oneself - Awakening in the early hours of the morning with a haunting feeling that something is awry (not right)

What does Professional Expertise entail under the ambiguities that exist in the locus of authority?

- There are several Professionals trying to solve this situation - Each individual brings different aspects of expertise to the situation - Each Professional has an authority on a part of the whole situation

What does the term Traditional Arrangements entail under the ambiguities that exist in the locus of authority?

- What typically occurs or who typically is the moral agent in morally complex situations

What are the 4 ambiguities that exist under the locus of authority?

1. Professional Expertise 2. Traditional Arrangements 3. Institutional Arrangements 4. Experience

When a situation stops a Moral Agent from doing what is right, what is this known as?

Moral Distress

When there are 2 or more ethically correct courses of action there are to take, what is this situation known as?

An Ethical Dilemma

Typically, in the traditional healthcare system, who is the authoritative voice in healthcare decisions?

The Physician + Physicians are considered to be in authority sine they have a history of special expertise - Essentially, the medical director of a specific unit is unquestionably the one to make decisions about what to do - The medical director does have the option to bring in other council or may be open to other opinions

What does Experience entail under the ambiguities that exist in the locus of authority?

- A voice of authority that may come about based on insight that comes with experience - Advice sought out from individuals who have been through a situation like this before

Explain what Locus of Authority is

- Conflict that arises from an ethical question of who should have the authority to make an important ethical decision + Meaning A - Who is the rightful moral agent C - Who is the rightful agent to carry out the decision O - Who will be held responsible for the outcome

What does the term Institutional Arrangements entail under the ambiguities that exist in the locus of authority?

- Decision comes from special institution arrangements like committees or designated individuals - In this case, committees/ those designated take up specific task-related roles

Explain what Moral Distress is

- When the moral agent is experiencing discomfort because of a barrier blocking them form their ability to be the kind of professional they need to be or from doing what they think is right - When you cannot be the person you know you should be in your professional role or when you cannot do what you know for certain is right