1 of 11

Ethics & �Decision Making

​

All information has been modified from its original version found in Doing Right: A practical Guide to Ethics for Medical Trainees and Physicians by Philip C. Herbert

Health Science 20

S. Lewchuk

2 of 11

Ethics

  • Ethics is about right and wrong, and the rational we make for our choices and actions

​

  • Is a central concept to Health Sciences because doing the “right thing” for patients requires a significant moral compass

​

  • Should help clarify and present alternatives when faced with difficult decisions

3 of 11

Ethics

  • When is comes to ethical problems and dilemmas, you should first be able to recognize the problem or issue and then analyze the possible solutions while keeping in mind three key questions

​

​

    • What does the patient want? (Autonomy)
    • What can be done for the patient and what are the risks and benefits ( Beneficence and Maleficence)
    • Are the patient’s requests fair, reasonable and able to be satisfied (Justice)

4 of 11

Resolving Ethical Dilemmas

  • We will examine a 7 step procedure purposed by Philip C. Hebert. This is NOT a set of rules but rather a good start for satisfying our needs.

​

​

​

5 of 11

Resolving Ethical Dilemmas

Step One:

Recognize that a patient’s situation raises an important ethical problem.

​

      • Problems arise when
          • there is a conflict of values/morals
          • There are different ways of proceeding
          • Important to be as knowledgeable about the person and the health issue as possible

​

​

6 of 11

Resolving Ethical Dilemmas

Step Two:

Identify the problem that needs to be solved

​

      • Proper and adequate identification of the problem will allow you to best decide what resources will be needed.

​

​

​

​

​

7 of 11

Resolving Ethical Dilemmas

Step Three:

Determine reasonable alternative courses of action

​

        • You need not brainstorm an exhaustive list but rather have clearly distinct alternatives.

​

​

​

​

​

8 of 11

Resolving Ethical Dilemmas

Step Four:

Consider each option in relation to the 3 fundamental ethical principles

​

      • No principle is paramount however in certain situations, one may trump the rest.

​

9 of 11

Resolving Ethical Dilemmas

Step Five:

Decide on a resolution to the problem

​

      • Your conclusion will likely be disputed by some so be prepared to justify our choice

​

10 of 11

Resolving Ethical Dilemmas

Step Six:

Consider your position critically

​

      • Are there circumstances under which you would advocate a different course of action?
      • Could your decision be constructed into a general principle of treatment?
      • Consider your emotions, conscience and opinions of those you trust
      • Would you make the same choice if your decision was made public?

11 of 11

Resolving Ethical Dilemmas

​

Step Seven:

Do what you feel is the right thing.

​

      • How will you know?

​