Lecture 10: Ethics And Pharmacy Flashcards
What is the difference between ethics and morals?
Morals usually refers to practices, ethics is concerned with philosophically evaluating those practices
Morals- personal, derived from upbringing, values, culture and/or religion. It can vary from person to person
Ethics- public. A set of standards for professionals or citizens which demands adherence by all.
What is ethics.
Ethics deals with what is right or wrong, good or gem who ought an ought not to be done
How are the words ethics and morals used often?
Interchangeably
What is the relationship between ethics and the law .
Some law enforces behaviour required by morality
Sme law has nothing to do with morality
There are things that are not illegal but they are immoral
There are things which are required by law, but are immoral
Law I subject to moral scrutiny and criticism and it can change.
What is the role of law in professionalism?
The law creates and enforces constraints within which professionals can act
What is he role of the code of ethics in professionalism?
The code of ethics creates further requirement am enforced by professional bodies
Why do we need ethical justifications for laws and codes?
Because recognising the existence of laws me codes doesn’t tell us whom or whether they dee justified
Despite being able to use the words ethics and morals interchangeably… Why is the distinction of ethics and morality important?
Because there are protocols etc which may conflict with what they believe in
In what situation may we break confidentiality?.
If there is very serious harm to the public or to the individual
How doe we justify laws, professional codes and professional obligations?
Refer to western ethics story
Refer to set of commonly accepted principles
Reflect on the role of the professional and what is needed to fulfil it
Reflecr on the elation ship between professionals and their clients
What is the summary of the types of ethical theory?
A) consequentialism: focus on the consequences of the act, common variants = act and rule utilitarianism (means to make decisions)
B) deontology: focus on the action, and typical the rule it falls under
Common variants= kanthan ethics, social contract theory
C) virtue ethics: focus on the character of the agent
What do all the summaries of ethical theory have in common (except for act utilitarianism)
They each provide justification for professional obligations such as confidentiality, and general principles such as respect for autonomy
What is the relationship between ethical theories, principles and obligations?
Ethical theories such as consequentialism/utilitarianism, deontology, virtue ethics
Lead to
Principles like respect for autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, justice
Which lead to
Specific ethical obligations like confidentiality, honesty, seeking informed consent
What is principlism in biomedical ethics?
An influential approach made days by Beauchamp and Childress
No need to debate ethical theory as all can agree on the four principles
Each principle is prima facie (binding)
But can be outweighed by other principles in particular situations
These principles underpin specific professional obligations and rules
In the pharmacists code of ethics pre2011, what is principle 1 and what does it mean
Autonomy:
The pharmacist shall promote patient self detonation, respecting the patients right to understandable information, privacy and confidentiality
What is principle 2 and what is its meaning?
Beneficence
The pharmacist shall optimise medicines related outcomes for The patient according to their condense needs, cultural values and beliefs
What is principle 3 and what does it mean?
Non-maleficence
Literally means to do no harm, but must be interpreted as to do no unnecessary harm (as every drug has side effects)
What are the other principles in the pharmacists code of ethics? Pre 2011
- Justice
- Spirit of inquiry
- Integrity
- Trustworthiness
- Dignity
- Cooperation
- Compassion
What happened in 2011 regarding the pharmacist code of ethics..
It was reviewed an revised to reflect contemporary pharmacy practice. These principles have been incorporated into the new code
Why is a role like that performed by health professionals morally justified?
The benefits offhand morally justified role can be secured only if its occupants are subject to distinct obligations and permissions
Hence the provision of these distinct obligations and permissions is morally justified
What are the four special features of the client
/professional relationship?
The imbalance of expertise and power
The importance of matters about which clients consult professionals
It is hard to assess professional diligence and expertise
The limited nature of the relationship between clients and professionals
What do the four special features of the client professional relationship mean?.
Vulnerability for the client
This can be reduced by professional obligations
How can professionals reduce client vulnerability?
By providing a trustworthy and consistent service applying it to the code of ethics
Refrain from usage of jargon
We have an obligation to inform the patient and see to patients concerns
We must maintain confidentiality
We must have the best interests of pharmacy at heart
What is it important for clients to know..
The pat there are exceptions to confidentiality
What is there room for judgement for?
How you implement particular obligations
What are the other situations in which there is room for judgement?
Interpretation, application, conflict , no rule
