Script

Az: Now that we have seen how a wrong decision made can lead to serious
repurcussions, what do you think Doctor Money should have done or considered? Is
there anything he could have consulted that might have changed or improved his
decision making?
Ping: Yes! He could have used the ethical decision making model as a guideline in his
decision making process
Az: Thats right, the ethical decision model mainly consists of 8 steps. Do you happen
to know what the first step is?
Ping: Hmm, could it be identifying the problem?
Az: Wow, you are right again!
First, Doctor Money should gather as much information as possible, and these
information should be specific & objective
Next, he should consider if the problem is an ethical, legal, professional, or clinical
one or a combination of more than one of the factors?
A key thing to note is that the dilemmas faced are often complex it is therefore
important to examine the problem from several perspectives and avoid search for a
simplistic solution.
Pingzhen do you know what follows after?
Ping: Apply the APA Code of Ethics?
Az: Yes Im sure all of you are more than familiar with the ethics code as Prof has
talked about it during lecture but just to refresh your memory, the ethics code include:

Beneficence and nonmaleficence

Fidelity and responsibility

Integrity

Justice

Respect for peoples rights and dignity

Competence
After which,
Doctor Money should check if the issue is addressed here. As Pingzhen has
mentioned, Doctor Money violated several ethical codes.
b. Hence, instead of jumping to his decision, Doctor Money should have checked if
there is an applicable standard or several standards that are specific and clear such as
beneficience and nonmaleficence. He should then follow the course of action and it
would lead to a resolution of the problem. In this case, he would have avoided the sex
reassignment surgery for his personal gains.
c. However, if the problem is more complex and a resolution does not seem apparent,
then we probably have a true ethical dilemma in our hands and need to proceed with
further steps in the ethical decision making process.
Ping: Wow, there are so many steps to be considered! What should be done next?

Az: Yes and we have many more to go! If we have a true ethical dilemma in our
hands, the next logical step to do to determine the nature and dimensions of the
dilemma.
This can be done by identifying the basis of conflict mainly the conflicting interests
of parties, competing standards and unclear standards.
Ping: What do you mean by that?
Az:
When we talk about conflicting interests of parties, we are asking questions such as
o How might each partys interest be affected by my action?
o What is my responsibility to each party?
Next, for competing stands, we need to
o Determine what standards are involved
o Decide which principles apply to the specific situation
o Determine which principles takes priority for us in this case
o And if there is a legal requirement I must consider?
Finally, for unclear standards, we need to obtain clarification but first, we have to
o Determine what information is lacking?
It is best to consult experienced supervisor or colleague as
they may see other issues that are relevant or provide a
perspective we have not yet considered.
In addition, they may also be able to identify aspects of the
dilemma that we are not viewing objectively
Lastly, we can consult written resources to ensure that we are
using the most current professional thinking in reaching a
decision
Ping: That sounds like a lot of work, but its all coming together now! After
identifying the basis of conflict, is the next step to generate potential courses of
action?
Az: Yes, you are right again Pingzhen!
We should brainstorm as many possible courses of action as possible, with a
minimum of 3 courses
If possible, we should also enlist the assistance of at least one colleague to help us
generate options.
Ping: Oh, do we also have to consider the potential consequences of all options?
Az: Yes, Pingzhen thats the next step!
Carefully evaluate each option and access the potential consequences for all the
parties (for example our client, others who will be affected, ourselves as a
practitioner) involved
After identifying the negative consequences, we should determine if they can be
avoided and if they can be avoided, how?
Eliminate the option that does not give the desired results or cause even more
problematic consequences
Afterwhich, review the remaining options to determine which option or combination
of options best fits the situation and address the priorities identified

Ping: after evaluating all the options, the next step would be to review the selected
courseo of action right?
Az: Yes, we would have to review the selected course of action to see if it presents
any new ethical considerations.
This can be done by conducting three tests.
Ping: What are the three tests?
Az: They are the test of justice, publicity and universality.
For the test of justice: we are in essence assessing our own sense of
fairness by determining whether we would treat others the same in this
situation
Next, carry out the test of publicity: this is done by asking yourself
whether you would want your behavior reported in the press
Lastly, we conduct the test of universality: which considers whether
you would recommend the same course of action to another counselor
in the same situation
Ping: The tests seems relatively easy to implement. What if we do not pass the test?
Az:
If you pass all the three tests and you are satisfied that you have selected an
appropriate course of action, good for you! You are now ready to implement the
decision.
However, if the course of action selected seems to present new ethical
issues, then go back to the beginning and reevaluate each step of the
process.
Ping: That sounds reasonable, is that all that have to be done?
Az: Nope, even after the decision is implemented, it is important that we follow up on
the situation to access whether the decision made had the anticipated effect and
consequences