CA Physical Therapy Summary EBook

7

Components of Ethics for Healthcare Professionals: Summary

Documentation and Record-Keeping Ethical documentation practices are fundamental to healthcare delivery. Records must be accurate, timely, and complete while protecting patient privacy and confidentiality. Six Step Model for Ethical Decisions 1. Get the story straight ○ Gather all relevant information and facts

Electronic health records have introduced new considerations regarding data security, access controls, and information sharing. Healthcare professionals must ensure their documentation practices comply with both legal requirements and ethical standards.

○ Understand the full context ○ Identify stakeholders involved ○ Review applicable laws, regulations, and professional codes ○ Take time to collect all pertinent details without bias 2. Identify the type of ethical problem ○ Determine if it's truly an ethical dilemma versus a legal issue ○ Identify which ethical principles are involved ○ Reference professional codes of ethics, workplace rules, and state regulations 3. Use ethics theories or approaches to analyze the problem ○ View the issue through different ethical lenses like: ■ Deontological approach: Focus on rights and duties ■ Teleological approach: Focus on consequences ■ Utilitarian approach: Focus on producing the most good/least harm ○ Apply relevant ethical principles: Beneficence, nonmaleficence, autonomy, justice 4. Explore the practical alternatives ○ Assess different possible courses of action ○ Consider consequences, benefits, and drawbacks of each option ○ Weigh effects on patient and others involved (practical, emotional, spiritual, financial) ○ Evaluate how each option aligns with ethical principles 5. Complete the action ○ Choose and implement the most ethically justifiable course of action ○ Recognize that an optimal solution may not exist ○ Accept that some ethical dilemmas cannot be perfectly resolved 6. Evaluate the process and outcome ○ Reflect on results and consequences ○ Assess if the chosen action effectively addressed the issue ○ Consider lessons learned for future situations ○ Ask questions like: ■ What went well? ■ What was most challenging? ■ What was learned? ■ What could be done differently next time?

The model emphasizes that ethical decision making is a systematic process that requires careful consideration at each step. The final

evaluation step is considered particularly critical for developing ethical reasoning skills and preparing for future ethical dilemmas.

Powered by