Applied Clinical Ethics

Question 1

What are the 2 main methods/approaches for ethical analysis?

Answer 1

1) Seedhouse’s ethical grid

2) Four quadrants approach

Question 2

What is the advantage of Seedhouse’s ethical grid?

Answer 2

Provides a structure and function to analyse ethical problems, with logic based on moral theory

Question 3

What is the inner layer of the ethical grid?

Answer 3

Questions if intervention will create autonomy, respect autonomy and treat all equally

Question 4

What is the second layer of the ethical grid?

Answer 4

Assesses duties and motives, if intervention consistent with moral duties e.g. keeping promises, telling the truth

Question 5

What is the third layer of the ethical grid?

Answer 5

Consequentially assessing if intervention providing greatest benefit for greatest number and who benefits (Utilitarian)

Question 6

What is the fourth layer of the ethical grid?

Answer 6

Questions if intervention will be affected by external considerations e.g. risks, law, use of resources

Question 7

What are four quadrants?

Answer 7

1) Medical Indications (History)
2) Patient preferences (Capacity, wishes)
3) Quality of Life (Improving quality of life)
4) Contextual Features (Economic, Religious, Moral [Confidentiality])

Question 8

What is connectivity and interdependence?

Answer 8

How does the activity of one individual affect others

Question 9

What is co-evolution?

Answer 9

Adaptation of one organism to alter other organisms (Doctor and Pt Co-evolve)

Question 10

What are conscientious objections?

Answer 10

Moral claims which are based on one’s core ethical beliefs (E.g. Giving treatment/doing procedure would violate own personal beliefs)

Question 11

What is far from equilibirum?

Answer 11

Being pushed out of comfort zone leading to survival and development (flourishing)