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Components of Ethics for Physical Therapy Professionals: Summary
Electronic health records have introduced new considerations regarding data security, access controls, and information sharing. Healthcare Six-Step Model for Ethical Decisions 1. Get the story straight ○ Gather all relevant information and facts
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.
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