Week 7
Ethics and
Health Care
Chapter 9
• Define relevant ethical terms.
Learning
Objectives • Discuss ethical theories that shape health
care decisions.
Ethics
• Ethics is the study of standards of right and wrong in human behaviour.
• The term ethics also refers to a code of behaviour or conduct.
Copyright © 2020 by Elsevier, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Morality and Morals
• Morality extends from a system of beliefs about what is right and wrong, encompassing a person’s
values, beliefs, and sense of duty and responsibility and can extend to those actions a person believes
are right or wrong.
• Morals are what a person believes to be right and wrong regarding how to treat others and how to
behave in an organized society.
Copyright © 2020 by Elsevier, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Values
• Values, beliefs important to an individual, guide a person’s conduct and the decisions he or she
makes.
• People can have personal values, social values, and workplace or professional values.
• Context may also influence values and, therefore, behaviour.
• In health care, particular value is placed on truthfulness, respect for others, empathy, compassion,
competency, responsibility and the right for autonomy and to proper medical care.
Copyright © 2020 by Elsevier, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Sense of Duty
• Duties are obligations a person has in response to another’s claims on him or her.
• A duty may result from a professional or personal obligation or may relate to one’s own morals or
values.
• Health care providers have a moral and ethical duty to care for their patients in a competent manner,
in addition to a legal obligation called the “duty of care.”
Copyright © 2020 by Elsevier, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Ethical Theories: The Basics
• Teleological theory defines an action as right or wrong depending on the results it produces.
• Deontological theory demands that a moral and honest action is taken, regardless of the outcome.
• Virtue ethics states that a person of moral character will act wisely, fairly, and honestly and will
uphold the principles of justice.
• Divine command ethics follows philosophies and rules set out by a higher power.
Copyright © 2020 by Elsevier, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Week 7 Housekeeping
• Week 7 Discussion
• Assignment 3