Bio – life
Biology – living things/organisms
Ethics
- First used by biologist (Van Rensselaer Potter)
- Study of Biology and human conduct
- Conception to natural end
Ethics as:
- A system of moral principles
- A study of right or wrong
- Professional conduct
- A social responsibility
What the profession expects one to do
Bioethics
- Study of what is right & wrong in healthcare medicine and life science
Onset: Good or Fair for the patient
- Family & Society?
- Study of ethical issues arising from advance in biology and medicine
- Concerned with the ethical questions
3 Key Points
1. Human Dignity
- Alive or dead
- Ensure everyone is treated with respect
2. Patient Right
- Need and wishes respected with care
3. Moral Responsibility
- Accountable for action and decision
Healthcare Ethics
Application of moral principles to the practice of medicine.
Why essential?
1. Guides professional behavior and decision-making
2. Ensure care is safe
3. Trust between nurse and patient
4. Support moral integrity
Professional Ethics
Refers to the ethical standard and expectation as a particular profession.
Rules, standards & behavior that guides how a person acts in their job or profession.
Ex:
- Attendance
- Privacy (confidentiality)
- Admitting mistakes (accountability)
- No gossiping about co-worker or spreading rumors in the workplace
- Dress code and uniform
Morals
- Personal
- Personal beliefs about what is right or wrong
- Family, religion, culture or experiences
- Specific belief
Morality
- How people or society act based on shared morals.
- System or framework of beliefs, usually shaped by culture, religion, family, or personal
experience.
Principles
- General ethical rules that guide actions in health care
- Foundation of bioethics
- Used by everyone
Main Bioethic Principles
1. Autonomy (respect)
2. Beneficence (do good)
3. Non-maleficence (do no harm)
4. Justice (fair)
Ethics
- What the profession expects me to do
Morality
- What I believe is right
Bioethics
As a nurse, I must think critically and do what ethically right, even if it’s hard for my
personal experience or beliefs.
ETHICS VS MORALITY
Importance of Distinction
1. Clear, fair decision in complex situation
2. To avoid bias and ensure patient-centered care
3. To understand the basis of nursing codes and laws
Ethics
- Ethos = character
- Legal guidelines
- Developed on the prism of others
- Followed because society decided it is the right course of action
- Universal moral laws, no religious connotation
Morality
- Mores = meaning custom
- Transcends the norms laid down by culture
- Seen from the perspective of an individual
- Depends on the beliefs of an individual
- Followed because a person believes that it is the right course of action
- Has religious connotation
4 Major Framework of Ethics
1. Duty-based ethics (Deontology)
2. Outcome-based ethics (Teleology)
3. Ethics of Care (Relationship based)
4. Virtue Ethics (Character based)
DUTY-BASED ETHICS (DEONTOLOGY)
- Deon = “duty”
- Duty or obligation
- “It is my duty” regardless of the consequences
- Most sophisticated ethical theory
TWO VERSION
Kantian Ethics
- Immanuel Kant (1724–1804)
- Concerned with duty and reason
- Actions intentions are more important than consequences
Concepts
1. Good intention comes from good will.
2. The use of reason to inform God will help highlight your duty in any situation.
3. Duty is guided by Categorical Imperatives.
- Guided by reason and universal moral law
- Do what is right because it is your duty
Deontology
- Is the foundation of the most healthcare code of ethics, including the Code of Ethics for
Nurses.
- Most emphasized ethical theory.
Code of Ethics for Nurses
- U.S. nurses develop guidelines that help nurses do what is right in all situations whether
caring for patients, working with the team.
Provision 3.3
- U.S. nurse must develop whether in clinical or academic practice to ensure that basic
competence and commitment to professional standard exist prior to entry into practice
(ANA, 2012, p.11).
KANTIAN ETHICS
Categorical Imperative vs Hypothetical Imperatives
Categorical Imperative:
- Rule you must follow no matter what
- Moral duty
- Applies to everyone always
- You do it because it’s right
Ex: Always tell the truth, Always respect patients’ privacy, Do not cheat
Hypothetical Imperatives:
- Is the opposite = categorical imperative in Kantian ethics
- Only if you want to follow the rules
- You do it because you must, something in return
Ex: If you want to pass the exam, study. If you want to impress your CI volunteer in Redcom
ROSS ETHICS
- Sir William David Ross (1877–1911)
- “I just know”, gut feeling
- Moral Intuition
- Ethical Intuitionism
Ethical Intuitionism vs Moral Intuition
Ethical Intuitionism: Common sense moral knowledge
Moral Intuition: Our inner sense
- Moral common sense that helps us decide what is right in the moment
Common Sense Moral Knowledge
- Moral intuition
- Moral common sense
- Moral conscience
Ex: A patient begs you not to tell the doctor about a symptom (chest pain) because they are
afraid of being confined again. What would you do?
Your co-nurse made a minor med error but no harm was done.
Two versions of Deontology
1. Prima facie duties (At first glance duties)
Types of Prima Facie Duties
1. Duty of fidelity – means keeping promise truthful
2. Duty of reparation – making up
3. Duty of beneficence – do good
4. Duty of justice – being fair and giving people what they deserve
5. Duty of nonmaleficence – no harm
6. Duty of gratitude – kindness, appreciating
7. Duty of self-improvement – improve character