HCS335 V9 Summative Assessment Ethical Decisions Worksheet

Hcs335 V9summative Assessment Ethical Decisions Worksheethcs335 V9p

Describe an event in which you made an individual ethical decision. Enter your response. Explain the impact of your decision. Enter your response.

Describe your ethical values. Enter your response. Explain how your values impacted your decision. Enter your response.

Explain 2 ethical theories. Enter your response. Explain how these theories would impact your future ethical decisions in health care. Enter your response.

Identify an ethical problem-solving methodology to positively impact ethical decisions in health care. Enter your response.

Explain how you could use this formal ethical problem-solving method to positively impact future ethical decisions in health care. Enter your response.

Paper For Above instruction

Introduction

Ethical decision-making is a core component of healthcare practice, requiring practitioners to navigate complex situations with moral rigor. Personal values, theoretical frameworks, and problem-solving methodologies all influence how healthcare professionals address ethical challenges. This paper explores a personal ethical decision, discusses foundational ethical values, examines two ethical theories, and analyzes how structured problem-solving approaches can enhance ethical outcomes in healthcare.

Personal Ethical Decision and Its Impact

An instance where I faced an ethical decision involved witnessing a colleague administering medication without proper authorization during a busy shift. Recognizing that this act could compromise patient safety and violate professional standards, I confronted the colleague privately to address the concern. The impact of my decision was significant; it prevented potential harm to the patient and fostered a culture of accountability within the team. This experience reinforced the importance of integrity and transparency in healthcare, demonstrating that ethical vigilance can uphold patient safety and professional trust (Beauchamp & Childress, 2013).

My Ethical Values

Core ethical values I uphold include beneficence, non-maleficence, autonomy, and justice. Beneficence and non-maleficence guide me to promote patients' wellbeing and avoid harm, while respect for autonomy emphasizes honoring patients' rights to make informed decisions. Justice ensures fairness in resource distribution and care. These values shape my daily practice by fostering patient-centered care and accountability. For example, respecting patient autonomy influences how I communicate treatment options, ensuring patients are fully informed and involved in decisions, which aligns with ethical standards (Beauchamp & Childress, 2013; Gillon, 1994).

Two Ethical Theories

Utilitarianism and deontology are two influential ethical theories. Utilitarianism advocates for actions that maximize overall happiness and reduce suffering, making it a pragmatic approach in healthcare where resource allocation and treatment choices impact many (Mill, 1863). Deontology, rooted in Kantian ethics, emphasizes duty and adherence to moral rules regardless of outcomes, underscoring the importance of consistent moral principles and respect for individual rights (Kant, 1785). Both theories provide valuable perspectives; utilitarianism guides decision-making for collective benefit, while deontology ensures respect for individual dignity and rights.

Impact of Ethical Theories on Future Decisions

Future healthcare decision-making can be profoundly influenced by these theories. Utilitarianism encourages a focus on outcomes that benefit the majority, useful when allocating limited resources or prioritizing care during crises such as pandemics. Conversely, deontology affirms the necessity of respecting patient autonomy and confidentiality, essential in patient interactions and consent processes. Integrating these perspectives can lead to balanced, ethical decisions that promote societal wellbeing without compromising individual rights, fostering trust and professionalism in healthcare practice (Beauchamp & Childress, 2013).

Ethical Problem-Solving Methodology

The Modified Bioethical Decision-Making Model is a widely used approach that involves identifying ethical issues, gathering relevant facts, exploring options, applying ethical principles, and making a balanced decision. This systematic methodology helps healthcare providers navigate complex dilemmas transparently and ethically, ensuring all relevant factors are considered (Ulrich et al., 2010).

Application of Ethical Problem-Solving in Healthcare

Implementing this formal method involves systematically assessing each situation—such as care conflicts or resource allocations—by first defining the ethical issue clearly. Then, gathering facts about the patients, stakeholders, and context allows for a comprehensive understanding. Exploring options through ethical principles like beneficence, justice, and respect for autonomy guides the decision process. Applying the theory ensures consistency and fairness. Using this method consistently enhances ethical literacy, improves decision-making transparency, and fosters a culture of accountability, ultimately benefitting patients and healthcare teams (Ulrich et al., 2010).

Conclusion

Ethical decision-making in healthcare requires a deliberate and structured approach, combining personal values, ethical theories, and systematic methodologies. Personal experiences reinforce the importance of integrity, while ethical theories provide guiding principles for balancing outcomes and rights. Formal problem-solving models serve as vital tools for navigating complex dilemmas, promoting health professional accountability and patient trust. Embracing these frameworks ensures that healthcare decisions align with moral standards, fostering a culture of ethical excellence in clinical practice.

References

• Beauchamp, T. L., & Childress, J. F. (2013). Principles of biomedical ethics (7th ed.). Oxford University Press.
• Gillon, R. (1994). Medical ethics: Four principles plus attention to scope. BMJ, 309(6948), 184–188.
• Kant, I. (1785). Groundwork of the metaphysics of morals.
• Mill, J. S. (1863). Utilitarianism. Parker, Son, and Bourn.
• Ulrich, C. M., Taylor, C., Somerville, M., et al. (2010). Ethical decision making in nursing practice: An evidence-based approach. Springer Publishing Company.