5 step process for resolving ethical conflict

Steps 4/5: implement and evaluate your decision

Implement: begin to prepare the outcome of action with what you considered and hoped for in advance Evaluation: what have you learned from this process that will help you in the future? can you improve reasoning and decision making for the future? how can the institution prevent similar conflicts?

Step 2: Diagnose (identify) the ethical problem

clarify the issue. 1. is there a conflict of personal at personal, interpersonal, institutional, or societal level? 2. does question have moral or ethical component? does it raise issues of rights/moral character? identify relationship to decision. identify time parameters make sure problem is ethical rather than communication or legal problem example: when human dignity is being threatened

Step 3: Plan

identify options and explore the probable short term and long term consequences for each stakeholder. use ethical reasoning to decide course of action that you can justify ethically examples: 1. identify personal and professional moral positions and values and those of involved individuals 2. apply pertinent ethical theories and principles 3. apply codes of conducts and ethics, professional position ad statements or guides 4. decided on course of action that you are best able to support

Step 1: Assess the situation (gather data)

recognize and describe the situation in contextual factors that give rise to ethical problem. main people are involved (views and interests) the patients overall nursing, medical, and social situation, legal, administrative and staff considerations