CORRECT Answers
Ethics is a process of systematically examining varying viewpoints related to moral questions of right
and wrong.
Autonomy self governance, make ones decisions
Nonmaleficence duty to do no harm
Beneficence Doing good or causing good to be done; kindly action
Justice fairness; rightfulness
common characteristics regarding ethics its dialectical, goal-oriented approach to answering questions that have the
potential of multiple acceptable answers.
Bioethics is the study and formulation of healthcare ethics.
Bioethics takes on relevant ethical problems experienced by healthcare providers in the provision of
care to individuals and groups.
-As technology advances increased, recognition and acknowledgment of the rights
and needs of individuals and groups receiving this high tech care also increased.
Technology Developments Create Ethics Concerns - Smartphone apps to direct, interact with, and monitor patient status and behaviors
- Google Glass for "secretive" photos and videos
- Social media such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube
- Mobile devices used by healthcare providers
Ethical dilemmas arise when when moral issues raise questions that cannot be answered with a simple, clearly
defined rule, fact, or authoritative view.
Moral dilemmas occur when some evidence indicates that an act is morally right and some evidence
indicates the act is morally wrong; yet the evidence on both sides is inconclusive; or
an individual believes that on moral grounds, he or she cannot commit an act
(Beauchamp & Childress, 1994, p. 11).
Ethical Decision Making The process of making informed choices about ethical dilemmas based on a set of
standards differentiating right from wrong.
Privacy is "the right of an individual to be let alone. It includes freedom from observation or
intrusion into one's private affairs and the right to maintain control over certain
personal and health information"
, Confidentiality carries "the responsibility for limiting disclosure of private matters. It includes the
responsibility to use, disclose, or release such information only with the knowledge
and consent of the individual" (Harman 2006, 627-628). Can be written or verbal
Security includes "physical and electronic protection of the integrity, availability, and confidentiality of
computer-based information and the resources used to enter, store, process, and
communicate it; and the means to control access and protect information from
accidental or intentional disclosure" (Harman 2006, 635).
Principlism arose as societies became more heterogeneous and members began experiencing
a diversity of incompatible beliefs and values.
Principlism is based on • Autonomy: free-will or agency
• Beneficence: to do good
• Nonmaleficence: not to harm
• Justice: social distribution of benefits and burdens
Antiprinciplism Prompted by expansive technological changes and associated ethical dilemmas
Opponents of principlism claim principles - Are too conceptual, intangible, or abstract
- Disregard or do not take into account a person's psychological factors,
personality, life history, sexual orientation, religious, ethnic, and cultural background
Casuistry is a case-based ethical reasoning method that analyzes the facts of a case in a
sound, logical, and ordered or structured manner.
-grew out of the concern for more concrete methods of examining ethical
dilemmas.
- facts are compared to decisions arising out of consensus in previous paradigmatic
or model cases.
Husted Bioethical Decision-Making Model centers on the healthcare professional's implicit agreement with patient/client
Husted Bioethical Decision-Making Model based on six 1. Autonomy: right of individual to choose for her/himself
contemporary bioethical standards 2. Freedom: ability and right to make choices
3. Veracity: right to truth/truthfulness
4. Privacy: related to personal information and rules that restrict access to this
personal information
5. Beneficence: refers to actions performed that contribute to the welfare of others
6. Fidelity: being faithful to what has been promised
Virtue Ethics - emphasizes the virtuous character of individuals who make the choices.
- Suggests that individuals use power to bring about human benefit; one must
consider the needs of others and the responsibility to meet those needs.
- has seen resurgence in last 30 years
Care Ethics - Responsiveness to the needs of others dictates providing care, preventing harm,
and maintaining relationships
- Based on relationships and a caring attitude toward others
- are less guided by rules.
- Focus is on the needs of others and one's responsibility to meet those needs.
The goal of any ethical system should be that a rational, justifiable decision was reached.