Introduction into ethics

Question 1

What is morality?

Answer 1

• helps us to decide what is right and wrong.
• based upon personal belief

Question 2

What is ethics?

Answer 2

• helps us to decide what is right and wrong?
• shared frameworks

Question 3

What does the study of ethics refer to?

Answer 3

the systematic study of moral choices

Question 4

What is bioethics?

Answer 4

• an umbrella term including healthcare ethics and research ethics.
• it is the study of controversial ethics brought about by advances in biology and medicine. Refers to medical policy, practice and research.

Question 5

What is healthcare ethics?

Answer 5

professional and clinical ethics- eg. pharmacy ethics.

Question 6

Common questions today in regards to bioethics.

Answer 6

boundaries of life (assisted dying), surrogacy, allocation of scare healthcare resources, the right to refuse medical care for religious and cultural reasons

Question 7

Future bioethics questions

Answer 7

Artificial intelligence, human cloning, gene therapy. Human genetic engineering, life in space.

Question 8

Code of ethics that pharmacist use= GPhC standards. What are the 9 standards?

Answer 8

1. provide person-centred care
2. work in partnership with others
3. communicate effectively
4. maintain, develop and use their professional knowledge and skills
5. use professional judgement
6. behave in a professional manner
7. respect and maintain the person’s confidentiality and privacy
8. speak up when they have concerns or when things go wrong
9. demonstrate leadership

Question 9

Name three philosophical approaches to ethics.

Answer 9

1. deontological
2. consequentialist/utilitarian
3. virtue ethics

Question 10

describe deontology.

Answer 10

rules and duties. The moral worth of an action depends upon whether it fulfils a duty

Question 11

Describe consequentialism/utilitarianism

Answer 11

emphasis on consequences from the possible actions. The morality of an action is determined by the amount of good it produces.

Question 12

What is virtue ethics? Give examples of virtues.

Answer 12

Virtue ethics puts emphasis on the person and the development of moral character.

Examples of virtues are prudence, justice, temperance, courage, humility, compassion.

Question 13

Give the four principles of bioethics

Answer 13

1. Respect for autonomy- respect for the decision-making capacities of the person.
2. Beneficence- ensuring that the benefits of treatment are greater than the risks.
3. Non maleficence- avoiding harm to the patient. The benefits should outweigh the harm.
4. Justice- distributing benefits, risk and cost fairly. Patients in similar situations should be treated similarly.

Question 14

What does RIGHT stand for?

Answer 14

1. Rules- the things you must do, legal, regulatory
2. Integrity- the principles which guide you
3. Good- actions should bring good
4. Harm - actions should not cause harm
5. Tell the truth