Truth Telling

Question 1

What is the utilitarian approach to truth telling

Answer 1

Utilitarianism maximise happiness for the most possible people and minimise suffering

People have no intrinsic value e.g. would take all the organs out of one 20 year old to save the lives of 15 others

Need to weigh up the pros and cons of telling the truth and only tell to the truth so long as it doesn’t cause harm to the patient

Question 2

What is the deontological approach to truth telling

Answer 2

Must tell the truth and the whole truth at all times and in all situations

based upon all human beings being rational and having mortal duties that decide whether actions are right or wrong

Disadvantages:
too rigid would you tell a murder where your friend is?
not everyone is rational

Question 3

What is the virtue ethics approach?

What are the advantages and disadvantages of this approach?

Answer 3

Moral character, the right values as well as practical wisdom inform your actions

Advantages:
acknowledges decision making is very complex & influenced by past experiences
It is a developmental model it does expect you to be perfect but acknowledge the need to improve

Disadvantages:
you have to imagine what a good doctor would do
takes years to develop a virtuous character
encourages perfectionism
focused only on the professional

Question 4

What is the duty of candor?

Answer 4

is a statutory (legal) duty to be open and honest with patients (or ‘service users’), or their families, when something goes wrong that appears to have caused or could lead to significant harm in the future.

Question 5

What was the Francis report

Answer 5

late 2000’s pub 2013
Showed gross neglect abuse and lack of compassion for patients and a culture of fear and bullying within staff

This occurred in Mid Staffordshire NHS trust

Question 6

What is the public interest discolour act of 1998

Answer 6

Law that protects workers (e.g doctors) making disclosures and whistleblowing in the public interest and allows individuals to claim compensation for any victimisation that may occur

Question 7

What is internal and external whistleblowing what one should you do first?

Answer 7

Internal within organisation and trust (informing senior members of staff who are obliged to keep disclosure secrete and investigate it)

External telling media or regulators outside of the organisation

Question 8

Why should you whistleblow?

Answer 8

To maintain trust in the profession

To report poor clinical care and treatment of patients