Questions Of Values And Ethics 051812

Questions Of Values And Ethicscha

Questions of Values and Ethics Chapter 4 Introduction In the Beginning… There were no antibiotics. There were no ICUs. There were no CT scanners or MRIs. There were just physicians and nurses who cared for people in sickness and in health. 1960s Technological advances allowed for the development of the ICU. New biomedical developments Advances in surgical techniques, such as open heart surgery New Questions The advances created new questions for health-care professionals regarding the use of technology.

The concepts of life and death Bioethics A subdiscipline of ethics The study of medical morality Concepts of Ethics Values Belief systems Morality Value Systems A set of related values Intrinsic values Extrinsic values Personal values Professional values Value Formation Values are learned. Values change with maturity and experience. The number of values an individual holds is not as important as what values he or she consider important. Values Clarification Choosing Prizing Acting Belief Systems These are organized ways of thinking about why people exist within the universe. Their purpose is to explain such concepts as Life and death Good and evil Health and illness Ethics and Morals Morals Morals are an individual’s own code for acceptable behavior. They arise from an individual’s conscience. They act as a guide for individual behavior. They are learned. Ethics Ethics deals with the “rightness†or “wrongness†of human behavior. Concerned with the motivation behind the behavior Bioethics is the application of these principles to life-and-death issues. Ethical Theories Deontological Teleological Principalism Ethical Principles Autonomy Nonmaleficence Beneficence Justice Fidelity Confidentiality Veracity Accountability Autonomy The freedom to make decisions about oneself Nurses need to respect clients’ rights to make choices about health care. * Nonmaleficence Requires that no harm be caused to an individual, either unintentionally or deliberately.

Requires nurses to protect individuals who are unable to protect themselves. Beneficence This principle means “doing good†for others. Nurses need to assist clients in meeting all their needs. Biological Psychological Social Justice Every individual must be treated equally. This requires nurses to be nonjudgmental. Fidelity Loyalty The promise to fulfill all commitments The basis of accountability Confidentiality Anything stated to nurses or health-care providers by clients must remain confidential. The only times this principle may be violated are If clients indicate harm to themselves or others If the clients give permission for the information to be shared * Veracity This principle implies “truthfulness.†Nurses need to be truthful to their clients.

Veracity is an important component of building trusting relationships. Accountability Individuals need to be responsible for their own actions. Nurses are accountable to themselves and to their colleagues. Ethical Codes These are formal statements of the rules of behavior for a particular group of individuals. Ethical codes are dynamic. Most professions have a “code of ethics†to guide professional behavior. Virtue Ethics Focus on virtues or moral character. View helping others as charitable or benevolent. Organizational Ethics Focus on the workplace.

Ethical culture makes a difference. Senior leadership must promote an ethical culture. Ethical Dilemmas Occur when a problem exists between ethical principles Deciding in favor of one principle usually violates another. Both sides have “goodness†and “badness†associated with them. Resolving Ethical Dilemmas Using the Nursing Process Assessment Planning Implementation Evaluation Approach to Ethical Dilemmas Approach List and rank the options. What values are in conflict? Use of discussion and negotiation.

Work toward a mutually acceptable decision. Implementation Identify decision makers. Determine goals of treatment. Planning Am I involved? Collect the facts.

Re-evaluate as necessary. Determine whether desired outcomes have been reached. Evaluation Assessment Current Ethical Issues Issues to Consider Assisted suicide Technology issues Gene therapies “Designer babies†Organizational climate * Conclusion An issue is not an ethical issue for the nurse unless he or she has been asked. Always gather the facts prior to decision making. Consider your personal beliefs and values.

Paper For Above instruction

Ethics and values are fundamental components in healthcare, guiding professionals through complex moral dilemmas and influencing patient care. The rapid technological advances since the 1960s have significantly transformed healthcare, raising profound ethical questions about life, death, and the limits of medical intervention. An understanding of core bioethical principles, moral frameworks, and organizational ethics is essential for healthcare providers to navigate these challenges responsibly and compassionately.

Historically, healthcare was primarily a matter of personal judgment by physicians and nurses, characterized by direct caregiving within the confines of rudimentary medical knowledge. The advent of groundbreaking technologies such as antibiotics, surgeries like open-heart procedures, and the development of intensive care units (ICUs) redefined medical practice, but also introduced new ethical dilemmas. These advancements prompt critical questions about the use of technology, resource allocation, patient autonomy, and the definition of what constitutes a "good" or "bad" outcome. The intersection of these technological innovations with ethical considerations necessitates a structured understanding of bioethics, which studies moral issues related to medicine and healthcare.

At its core, ethics encompasses values, belief systems, and morality. Values, learned through personal experiences and cultural context, influence decision-making processes. Personal, professional, intrinsic, and extrinsic values shape how healthcare practitioners approach their roles and interactions with patients. Clarifying and prioritizing these values—through methods such as values clarification—are crucial for ethical decision-making, especially when moral conflicts arise.

Belief systems are organized explanations concerning human existence and the universe, addressing fundamental questions about life, death, good, evil, health, and illness. These belief systems underpin moral frameworks, shaping individual and collective responses to ethical issues. Understanding patients’ belief systems helps healthcare providers deliver culturally competent care that respects diverse values and perspectives.

Morality and ethics, while related, differ significantly. Morality refers to an individual’s personal code of acceptable behavior, driven by conscience, whereas ethics involves systematic principles that govern right and wrong actions in society. For instance, nurses adhere to ethics codes that include key principles: autonomy, nonmaleficence, beneficence, justice, fidelity, confidentiality, veracity, and accountability. These principles serve as guides for ethical practice in healthcare.

Autonomy emphasizes respecting patients' rights to make personal health decisions, a fundamental tenet of ethical nursing practice. Nonmaleficence mandates healthcare providers to avoid causing harm, whether intentionally or unintentionally. Beneficence obligates practitioners to act in the best interest of patients, promoting their well-being. Justice emphasizes equitable treatment and nonjudgmental care, ensuring fairness regardless of personal characteristics or circumstances.

Fidelity involves loyalty and the duty to fulfill commitments, which fosters trust and accountability within healthcare teams. Confidentiality is vital in maintaining patient trust, with breaches permissible only when there is an imminent risk of harm or explicit patient consent. Veracity, or truthfulness, underpins honest communication and the development of trusting patient-provider relationships. Accountability ensures that healthcare professionals are responsible for their actions and uphold ethical standards.

Codes of ethics formalize these principles, providing clear guidelines for professional conduct. They are dynamic, evolving with societal changes and medical advancements. Virtue ethics emphasizes moral character, such as compassion, integrity, and humility, advocating for healthcare providers to cultivate virtues that underpin ethical behavior.

Organizational ethics focus on creating an ethical workplace culture, recognizing that leadership plays a crucial role in fostering integrity and ethical awareness among staff. Leaders must promote policies and an environment that support ethical decision-making and accountability.

Despite clear principles, ethical dilemmas frequently arise, particularly when principles conflict. For example, respecting patient autonomy may clash with beneficence when a patient's choices might lead to harm. Resolving such dilemmas requires a systematic approach—assessing the situation, identifying conflicting values, exploring possible options, and engaging in discussion and negotiation to reach a consensus aligned with ethical standards.

The nursing process—assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation—serves as an effective framework to address ethical issues by guiding systematic analysis and decision-making. Through this process, practitioners evaluate the facts, consider their values, involve decision-makers, and re-assess outcomes to ensure ethical integrity and optimal patient care.

Current ethical issues are prevalent in modern healthcare, such as assisted suicide, genetic therapies, and creating "designer babies." These issues challenge existing moral boundaries and require ongoing ethical scrutiny and dialogue. The organizational climate also influences ethical practice, emphasizing the necessity for leadership commitment to promoting an ethical culture.

Ultimately, ethical decision-making in healthcare relies on thorough fact-finding, understanding personal values, respecting patients’ rights, and engaging in ethical reflection. Recognizing that ethical issues are often complex and multi-dimensional enables healthcare providers to deliver compassionate, respectful, and morally sound care.

References

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