Intro to Health Care Ethics

Question 1

Define “ethics”.

Answer 1

Ethics is a branch of philosophy that deals with right and wrong.

Question 2

Define “morality”.

Answer 2

Morality is an interchangeable term with “ethics”.

Morality is quite personal. It is what WE do, according to what we feel is right or wrong.

Question 3

Define “values”.

Answer 3

Values are something that we hold important to us. This is a personal thing and our values are our own. These are shaped by our beliefs (core belief).

Question 4

Define “values clarification”.

Answer 4

Values Clarification is the process where you think about what values are important to you, and you decide to live more closely aligned with those values.

Question 5

Define “beliefs”.

Answer 5

Beliefs are things that we hold to be true.
- beliefs and values are very similar. A belief can shape a value. Your beliefs can shift, and therefore your values might shift as well.

Question 6

Define “principles”.

Answer 6

Principles are fundamental truths. These are values that are true for a large group of people. These are foundations for beliefs.

Question 7

Define “law”.

Answer 7

Law is something that is set up (usually by the government) as a way to enforce order and safety for a group of people. It is a system of rules.

Question 8

What are four types of values?

Answer 8

Personal
Cultural
Social
Work

Question 9

What are personal values?

Answer 9

Define who you are as an individual.

Question 10

What are cultural values?

Answer 10

Sustain faith and cultural connectedness.

Question 11

What are social values?

Answer 11

How you relate meaningfully to others.

Question 12

What are work values?

Answer 12

Guide your behaviour in professional context.

Question 13

What are seven principles of bioethics?

Answer 13

Autonomy
Beneficence
Non-Maleficence
Confidentiality
Justice/Social and Distributive
Fidelity
Veracity

Question 14

What is autonomy?

Answer 14

Freedom of choice.

Question 15

What is beneficence?

Answer 15

To promote the welfare of others.

Question 16

What is non-maleficence?

Answer 16

Do no harm.

Question 17

What is justice/social and distributive?

Answer 17

Fair and equitable access to healthcare.

Question 18

What is fidelity?

Answer 18

Loyalty.

Question 19

What is veracity?

Answer 19

Truthfulness, trust, shared responsibility.

Question 20

What is an ethical dilemma?

Answer 20

Two courses of action, and both could be considered right. Equally compelling reasons for and against each action.

Question 21

What is ethical distress?

Answer 21

Maybe you know what the right choice is, but you can’t do that for some reason.

Question 22

What is ethical residue?

Answer 22

If you allow yourself to be compromised in an ethical dilemma, this is the residual feeling that you have afterwards.

Question 23

What is ethical disengagement?

Answer 23

When someone has been put in “ethical distress” many times, and they become disengaged. Maybe they stop caring about what’s right and ethical. This is a huge sign of burnout.

Question 24

What is ethical violation?

Answer 24

When you compromise your ethics or you witness someone breaking ethics.

Question 25

What is ethical courage?

Answer 25

When you are able to stand firm on your values and ethics.

Question 26

What are some philosophical theories of ethics?

Answer 26

Egoism
Deontology
Utilitarianism
Principilism
Justice
Rights
Virtue

Question 27

What are the seven steps in ethical decision making?

Answer 27

1. Collect information well
2. Identify key questions
3. Identify guiding values
4. Brainstorm alternatives
5. Judge each option according to values
6. Make a decision
7. Evaluate the outcomes