Ethics Flashcards
What is moral accountability?
the readiness or preparedness to give an explanation or justification to relevant others for one’s judgements, intentions, acts and omissions
- individuals are accountable for the effects of their actions so far as they are reasonably forseeable
Moral accountability of organisations/government examples?
- To articulate and communicate clearly with workers the moral values and principles which it believes to be embedded in its accountability relationships
- To develop procedures and advice to support and guide the applications of these values and principles
- To search out and review inconsistencies between explicit values and organisational practice
- To develop the competence of all its workers in the application of those values, principles and procedures which are relevant to their jobs
Definition of values?
concepts or ideals that give meaning to an individual’s life and provide a framework for decisions and actions
Definition of morals?
the standards of right and wrong associated with individuals, groups, and society in general - practical application
Definition of ethics?
- the branch of philosophy that deals with the moral dimensions of human life;
- what should we do and why should we do it
- Science of morals in human conduct
What does ethics help us to do?
- Appreciate the choices of others and to evaluate the justification they give for their choice
- Enable a conscious examination of our own values and choices and how they can be used in making future decisions
What are some of the domains of values in society?
individual, legal, organisation, occupation
What are occupational values?
Occupational standards – e.g. principles of pharmacy ethics
Codes of ethics & “Standards of conduct, ethics & performance”
What are individual values?
- Based on sense of right and wrong
- May be based on political or religious beliefs
What are legal values?
- Values in common and contractual law
- Generally explicit
- Interpretations may be necessary
What are organisational values?
- Explicit in mission statements, codes of practice, etc
- Implicit in working norms
When do ethical dilemmas arise?
- There are difficulties in deciding how to apply moral/ethical values
- Moral/ethical values come into conflict with each other
What are the main principles of utilitarianism?
- concerned with ends and not means
- should act in a way that will produce most good and least harm
- can it justify doing harm or injustice to a few, if society as a whole benefits ?
What are the main principles of deontology?
- concerned with actions not outcomes
- unirversal morals to follow duty, regardless of consequences
- always treat human beings as ‘ends in themselves’ and never merely as ‘means to someone else’s end’
What are the core princples of ethics?
- autonomy
- beneficence
- non-malificence
- justice
(- fidelity)
Definition of autonomy?
Freedom to exist, to think, to act and to communicate
- respect decisions that someone makes
Issues that can arise as a result of autonomy?
Does everyone have it? young children, mentally ill etc
What is paternalism?
ignoring autonomy - deciding you know best for someone else and removing their ability and right to make their own decisions
Definition of beneficence?
principle of doing what is best for the patient
Principles of beneficence?
- protect and defend rights of others
- prevent harm occurring to others
- remove conditions that will cause harm to others
- help people with disabilities
- rescue people in danger
promotion of patients best wishes
Definition of non-malificence>?
One ought not to inflict evil or harm (to the patient)
In other words, do not do something that you know will cause harm to the patients
What are acts with double effect?
acts that have both benefits and harmful effects
Conditions for acts with double effect to be okay?
- act must be good or at least morally neutral
- you only intend the good effect, not the bad one
- bad effect must not be a means to the good effect
- good effect must outweigh the bad
Definition of justice?
being fair - not necessarily equal
awarding what is due
Principles of fidelity?
- trust and truthfulness
- keeping promises
- honouring commitments and obligations
- loyalty
General principles of ethics?
- “What is right and good with respect to conduct and character”
- A detailed, explicit, operational blueprint of the norms of professional conduct
- A public recital of desirable and undesirable actions having impact upon the character of a profession and its functional reliability
- Helps prevent exploitation of clients
- Regulates professional relationships
- Such rules are usually the result of reasoning and analysis
WHat are the standards for Pharmacy Professionals?
- Encapsulate what it means to be a registered pharmacist or pharmacy technicians – your obligations
- Describe how safe and effective care is delivered through ‘person-centred’ professionalism
- Standards grounded in timeless principles: Serving the public, Lifelong learning and Professional accountability
- Pharmacy professionals are personally accountable for meeting the standards and must be able to justify the decisions they make
What are the nine standards for pharmacy professionals?
- person centred care
- work in partnership with others
- communicate effectively
- maintain, develop and use professional knowledge and skills
- use professional judgement
- behave in a professional manner
- respect and maintain the person’s confidentiality and privacy
- speak up when they have concerns or when things go wrong
- demonstrate leadership