Panicola Ch 1-3 Flashcards
Scope of Ethics
Ethics concerns any behavior that affects human life (dignity, character and quality of life)
Basic task of Ethics
We we ought to be as people (Being)
How we ought to act (Doing), when considering the Goals of Human life and the virtues
requirement for ethics
Freedom and Knowledge
Freedom of Choice
Choosing your own path
Freedom of Self-Determination
Freedom to shape who we become
Knowledge
Information available to us that informs our decisions, knowledge of circumstances that mitigate personal responsibility
reasoning and discernment
Requires self- reflection and self- knowledge
Considers:
- who we are, who we strive to be
costs and benefits to others and the community
Normative Basis
Standard that is commonly accepted
Concerns Being (who we are) and Doing (how we act towards others), and approximates it with our goals (human flourishing)
What makes Healthcare Ethics Different?
Health is a primary need that underlies wellbeing
Patient/ Provider relationship is not equitable
Healthcare is social in nature, decisions affect wellbeing and community
Define Healthcare Ethics
Study of how healthcare affects human wellbeing and the good of the community
What are the three levels of healthcare decision making?
Macro
Middle
Micro
Macro
Policies, laws, research
Middle
Organizational Level (insurers, providers, employers and public service)
Micro
Climate level: Individual healthcare decisions
Virtue Theories
Greek Philosophy
Focuses on our desire to become a virtuous person
Focus on the person making the decision
Personal character and virutes
Deontological Theories
Judiac/Roman Law
Appeal to an outside authority or law
individual does not have a choice
Consequentialist Theories
Utilitarian philosophers
focus on the outcomes of the decision instead of the decision itself
cost/benefit
Human Flourishing as Spirituality
Loving god, and neighbor
Role of principles?
Principles give rise to virtues and pave the way to become virtuous
Specify what virtue demands in moral situations
Serve as a standard to evaluate our choices
(they are not absolute, but rather guidelines)
Life and Dignity
informed consent, confedentiality, beneficence, bodily autonomy, integrity, dignity, sanctity of life
Common Good
Human flourishing for all
relationality
how our behaviors impact others
Solidarity
standing with / for others in time of need
subsidiarity
decisions made at closest possible level to those affected
sterwardship
levering resources (personal and material) for the good of all
care for the disadvantaged
concerns for most vulnerable
equitable distribution
distribution of goods correlates to human dignity
social policies and programs
preferential option for poor and marginalized
Discernment
applying assessments and judgements
implies use of full range of our normative basis (being and doing, who we should become and decide in a situation) (reflection, analysis, critical evaluation)
Professionalism
Refers to specialized expertise but also particular moral commitments associated with the practice
privileges and obligations
expertise
specialized knowledge is required
autonomy
is granted to the professional
obligations
ensure patient welfare: imposed on professional
Conflict of Intrest
Promoting products / favoring patients with gifts/ commercial interests over patient interests
Concerns with medical services at a for-profit structure
Is expertise respected . . . even when commercial interest is challenged?
Are professional honest and patient confidentiality respected?
