Ethics in Healthcare Flashcards
What is the difference between morals and ethics?
Often used interchangeably which is incorrect.
Morals are principals or habits relation to right or wrong conduct based on ones own individual compass of right or wrong.
Ethics are the rules of conduct in a particular culture or group and recognized by an external source or social system.
-based around morals (ie. morals guide ethics)
Morals: personal belief of right and wrong; based on individual upbringings, culture, and religion; can vary widely on individuals and societies; can be influenced by emotions and person biases; often deals with issues of character and virutes.
Ethics: standards of behaviours set by a group or profession; based on a code of conduct or rules; generally consistent within a profession or organization; should be objective and impartial; often deal with issues of responsibility and accountability.
What is morality?
Is a foundation of ethical behaviour.
What we expect people to do so that we can live together in peace and harmony.
What is ethics?
The study of morals and moral judgements.
When moral norms can be compared, observed, and weighed, it is known as ethics.
What are the ethical principles?
Respect of autonomy
Beneficence
Non-maleficence
Justice
Respect of Autonomy
The right of adults with capacity to make informed decisions about their medical care
Need informed consent.
Involves confidentiality.
Health care professionals have not always been strongly aligned for patient autonomy.
-paternalistic providers, patient involvement, patient leaders
It is salient that patients are provided with the truth baout their condition, are informed about risks and benefits of treatment, and are permitted to refuse intervention that they do not feel are in their best interest.
Informed Consent
Patients must be provided with all relevant information to make an informed decision about their care.
Confidentiality
Protecting patient privacy is paramount.
Beneficence
Acting in the best interest.
Healthcare providers must aim to benefit the patient, promoting their well-being.
Only doing what is good for the patient.
It is the concern fro the patient that is manifested by a provider’s duty to his/her patients.
The characteristics that make people beneficent are often the same ones that influence their choice to go into a healthcare field.
Non-maleficence
Do no harm.
Avoiding actions (or language you use, or the environment you create) that may harm the environment.
Clearly healthcare providers want to help the patient without doing anything to harm them, either by omission (what we don’t do) or commission (what we do).
It is the idea that we do the right thing if we avoid bad consequences.
Do no harm, prevent harm, remove harm, bring about good.
Justice
Fair distribution of resources.
-ensuring equitable access to healthcare services.
Non-discrimination.
-treating individuals impartially, regardless of their background.
Refers to basic fairness.
-intent of justice is to maximize fairness for all patients and potential patients.
Distributed justice looks at how health care resources are distributed amongst the whole of society.
Comparative justice looks at the distribution of healthcare services at the level of the individual.
Legal and Ethical Frameworks
Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedom
-guarantees fundamental rights and freedoms, including those related to healthcare.
Canada Health Act (1984).
What is the Canada Health Act?
Principles = public administration, comprehensiveness, universality, portability, and accessibility.
Objective = ensure all eligible residents have reasonable access to medically necessary services without direct charges.
Is Canada’s federal legislation for publicly funded healthcare insurance.
Sets out the primary objective of Canadian healthcare policy, which is to protect, promote, and restore the physical and mental wellbeing of residents of Canada and to facilitate reasonable access to health services without financial or other barriers.
What are some ethical bodies and guidelines?
BC Health Authorities Act
Health Professionals Act
BC Kinesiology Association
BC Health Authorities Act
Structure = establishes regional health authorities responsible for delivering healthcare services.
Function = provides governance and accountability mechanisms for the management and delivery of healthcare services.
Ie. Fraser Health, Interior Health, Island Health, etc.
Health Professionals Act
Regulation = regulates various health professions to ensure practitioners meet specific standards of practice.
Oversight = includes colleges for each profession that oversee licensing, professional conduct, and continuing education.
