Ethics Review for Final Ethics- systematic study of moral choices; concerns the values that lie behind

moral choices and the language used to describe moral choices; set of principles of right and wrong Morality-interchangeable with ethics Morals: what is right and good conduct and character in the context of an individuals personal life. Ethics: what is right and good conduct and character in the context of an individuals professional life or organization they belong to (could be a society); it helps you decide what you ought to do when the law is silent. Principle: a basic rule or standard that guides thought or action; generally accepted as true Risk: the uncertainty of an event occurring that could have an impact on the achievement of objectives; measured in terms of probability and consequences. Beneficence -Beneficent actions can be taken to help prevent or remove harms or simply to improve the situation. -Can also be protecting and defending the rights of others, rescuing persons who are in danger and helping individuals with disabilities. Obligatory beneficence -prevent and remove harms -weigh and balance possible benefits against possible risks of an action -standard that most health care professionals abide by Non-maleficence -means do no harm -refrain from providing ineffective treatments or acting with malice toward patients -the pertinent ethical issue is whether the benefits outweigh the risks Paternalism -physician knows best and should be obeyed Consequentialism: principle based theory of ethical decision making that focuses on the ends or consequences of decisions What ends do we seek? Beneficence-doing good Nonmaleficence- avoiding harm Paternalistic-professional as expert Limitations of consequentialism -relies on clear knowledge of problem identification, alternatives to a specific situation and of risks and benefits of each alternative. -difficult to define what is good -difficult to determine who is the receiver of the benefits/risks -whose evaluation of risks/benefits takes priority? -risks and benefits may not be predictable Non-consequentialism -principle based approach that is directed toward processes (means) rather than the outcomes (ends) of decision making

What means do we seek? -autonomy- freedom to make ones own choices (self-determination) -involved in decision making -want things done right way for a specific person Assumptions -professional cannot know everything about a patient -professional has a duty to provide his/her best efforts to assist the pt -no right to impose his/her will on the pt -pt has a right to determine- or at least have meaningful say in his/her care decision -individual pt care decisions affect and are affected by the broader context in which they are made -honesty is a fundamental value -informed consent is a fundamental process in providing care Informed Consent -a formal written consent that pts give to health care professionals allowing them to conduct tests or procedures on patients with their complete understanding and agreement Justice -concerned with how resources are distributed (allocated) -concerned with the equity and fairness of the benefits and harms -another non-consequentialist principle: looking at the means or processes of the decisions rather than the outcomes or consequences Types of Justice Procedural justice-concerned with fair methods of making decisions and settling disputes Distributive justice- concerned with fair distribution of the benefits and burdens of society Corrective justice- concerned with correcting wrongs and harms through compensation or retribution Three realms of ethics Individual ethics: level 1 -relates to the ethics of a single person Institutional or Organizational Ethics: level 2 -relates to the ethics of an organization or group Societal ethics: level 3 -relates to the ethics of a whole society Professionalism: characterized by conforming to the technical and ethical standards of a profession Virtues -a character trait that is valued as a human quality -traits that are viewed as praiseworthy or good behavior -habits, qualities that are deeply entrenched or engrained that allow us to succeed for our purpose Character -the complex of attributes that determine a persons morals, ethical action and reactions Virtues important to health care professional -fidelity to trust -benevolence: do good, avoid harm -intellectual honesty: know limitations, get assistance when needed -courage: to stand up to others for yourself and patients -compassion: especially in chronic or complicated situations -truthfulness: patients cant make informed decisions without the truth

-practical wisdom -integrity Other virtues -fairness -self-control -prudence -generosity -tolerance -love Virtue ethics -concentrates on the moral agent and the kind of person he/she ought to be rather than on the acts themselves, the circumstances or the consequences -demphasizes rules, consequences, and particular acts and places focus on the kind of person who is acting Integrity -consistently sticking to your own beliefs and values of what is right and wrong -virtue of practicing what you proclaim Power- a measurement of an entitys ability to control its environment, including the behavior of other entities whether others wish to cooperate or not Authority- power that is accepted by society Pharmacists have knowledge-based authority Influence-power to effect a voluntary change in a persons attitude, opinion or actions through persuasive action Conscience Clause- a legislative provision that relieves a person from compliance on religious or conscience grounds