(HED) Ethical Dilemmas Lesson

Ethical Dilemmas

Despite every effort to adhere to professional standards and a code of conduct, ethical dilemmas will still occur that may not align with your personal moral set. The rule of respect continues to resonate as the best method of response. Let's examine some of these dilemmas.

Please watch the following presentation.

Healthcare professionals are required to respect the individual's right to autonomy. Patient autonomy means that a patient has the right to privacy, confidentiality, disclosure of health care, and yes, decisions about their medical treatment. The patient's right to choose no treatment when treatment options are available may make you, as a healthcare professional, feel helpless and as though you are not doing your job. Feel confident that you are doing what is ethically right when the patient makes an informed decision about their personal healthcare options. Review the American Hospital Association's brochure, The Patient Care Partnership, for what a patient's rights include. The line between legal and ethical responsibility is not always clear. Ethical guidelines are backed by legal statutes. In another module, we will explore healthcare laws and attempt to clarify the legal/ethical boundaries.  

 

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