2. Healthcare Decisions Take time in making decisions Reason Forge understanding Consider consequences Proceed with caution Be logical
3. Morality Some feel ethics is subjective and based on ones own morality. Ethics is part of religion, economics, government policy and healthcare.
4. Medical Ethicsis derived from: Law Institutions policies and practices Professional organizations Professional standards of care and obligation
5. Medical Ethics Questions End of Life Life sustaining Issues Reproduction Issues Genetics Transplantation Sterilization Medical Research
6. Principles of EthicsMoral Guideline and Continuity for Decision Making Autonomy Beneficence Nonmaleficence Justice
7. Autonomy This is a person’s ability to make their own choice. The capacity to say, think, decide and act freely and independently.
8. Autonomy Autonomy includes informed consent, confidentiality, truth telling and self-determination. It is based on the patient’s own goals and desires. Competency and capacity must be established. Minors – legal decision age. Surrogates
9. Beneficence Seek to provide. Being kind, charitable or beneficial. Acting with compassion and respect. Keeping patient wishes in care provided. Bringing good to another.
11. Justice Treat with fairness. Provide equal treatment to all. Non-discrimination. Protecting the rights of others.
12. Risk Inability to balance the principles. Oversimplify the principles. Using one over another. Rush into decision making.
13. Decision Making Look at the medical problem and prognosis. Is the condition reversible? What are goals of treatment? What is the cost-benefit of the decision emotional, physical, financial? What does the patient want? AD?? LW?? Is the patient competent to decide?
14. Ethical Analysis Analysis patient’s perspective. Analysis family’s perspective. Look at social impact of decision. Look at legal aspect of decision. Look at financial impact of decision. Look at provider impact of decision. Look at religious impact of decision.
15. Personal Values The patient decision may come into conflict with your personal values but the patient has the right for self-determination when competency is not in question. You will face challenges in balancing the mission of your organization with the cost of providing care and advances in technology while respecting your patient wishes.
16. Decisions Use ethical principles as a basis. Take your time to decide. Utilize your ethics committee whenever necessary. Know your code of ethics for your profession. Review the consequences of your decision before your make it. Act responsibly, morally and ethically. Perform an ethical analysis.