Ethics Training
2016
Agenda
Assessment and
Application
Working Through Ethical Dilemmas
Gaining ethical strategies
Introduction to ethics
Ice breaker and video
Ice breaker discussion

Introduce yourself

What is one thing you would like to learn from this session?

What does ethics mean to you?

In your opinion, what is the biggest problem concerning ethics at
work?

Do you feel you can teach values and ethics after a person has
reached adulthood? If not, why? Or, if so, why?
Video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D3YFkecPShw
Purpose of Ethics Training

Keeping personal and company values in parallel

Learn concept related to ethics

Identifying ethical dilemma

Gain resources to assist in approaching and solving problems

Foster positive work environment
Introduction to Ethics in Healthcare
How can you use ethics in decision
making?
Dilemma
Action
Consequences
BEST: They will not complain,
the client will be happy, I go on
with my day
I am encountered
with an ethical
situation ex. client
asks to pour them
a drink although I
feel they are
overstepping a
limit
I do the action ex.
pour the alcoholic
beverage
WORST Damaging health, alcohol
coma, mediator to harm when
leaving that patient intoxicated
BEST Do not cause patient
further physical harm, do not
take responsibility if something
happens to that client, respect
own boundaries
I do not take action ex. do not
pour the drink and explain why
WORST Client complains, do not
build on trust worthy relation
ship
How do we “do” ethics?

Helps use decide :
WHAT we should do
WHY we should do it
HOW we should do it
Beneficience
Autonomy
Nonmaleficience
Justice
Strategies

You have the right to refuse work, but it is necessary to do it in
a respectful way
“I understand you would like me to ____________ but it is not within my duty of
work/ I am no comfortable in fulfilling your request. May I provide an alternative
to ____________”
IDEA frame work

josh to add in idea framework visual guide
Group Discussion
Scenario 1
Client receives care for light
housekeeping. HSW arrives to find
client has been incontinent. She
has a PSW certificate, but is aware
that she is not visiting the client in
that capacity, and assistance with
personal care is not part of the
service plan. She feels pressured to
assist the client to get cleaned up
because she knows the client will
not be able to help himself, and
nobody else will visit that day to
assist.
Scenario 2
PSW brought her child to client’s
home. When asked, she explained
that her childcare arrangements fell
through at the last minute and she
knew the office would not be able to
find a replacement for the client that
day. She also rationalized that the
visit brought great joy to the client
Scenario 3
a) ACW reveals personal information to
the client about a marriage break-up and
subsequent financial difficulties. Client
offers worker a small monetary loan.
b) ACW gives client a birthday gift;
when asked about it, she explained it
was only a small gesture, an inexpensive
box of chocolates.
Extra Scenarios

Client requesting additional services not included on the service plan. If the
PSW refuses, s/he is concerned that client will complain and request a new
worker. PSW is desperate to keep the hours she currently has.

As an AVON representative, HSW was distributing magazines and collecting
sales. When asked, she explained that her one client was isolated and home
bound and expressed appreciation for the service.

PSW provides client with his cell phone since it is so much easier to
coordinate visits without the office staff’s interference. (Background: we
employ Scheduling Coordinators in the office who are responsible for
arranging visits, changing schedules to accommodate appointments/sick calls,
and ensuring the database schedule is up-to-date for payroll).
The after math of ethical dilemmas

Ensure to consult with manager when in doubt

Mentorship support from senior staff

Consultation groups

Improve ethical communication in the workplace

Refer to available resources provided by VHA:
website?
ethics manual?
print outs?
this presentation?
THE
OBLIGATION = DO + RIGHT +/THING
GUILT
Assess your learning
Concluding remarks and questions?
Thank you and congratulations on
completing the 2016 VHA ethics training