Educate the Educator
Healthcare Ethics
Competency 5
Competency 5
Using an ethical decision making model applied to
healthcare situations, describe how ethics influence
the care of clients.
Competency 5
Using an ethical decision making model applied to health care situations, describe
how ethics influence the care of clients.
Unit included for this competency include:
A. Define ethical dilemmas.
B. Discuss current ethical dilemmas.
C. Discuss problem solving as it relates to ethical decision making.
Unit 5A and B. Ethical Dilemmas Definition
Recommended Content
Ask.com defines an ethical dilemma as “a situation wherein moral precepts or
ethical obligations conflict in such a way that any possible resolution to the dilemma
is morally intolerable. In other words, an ethical dilemma is any situation in which
guiding moral principles cannot determine which course of action is right or wrong.”
Ethical Dilemmas Definition
Responsible ethical reasoning is rational and systematic; should be based on ethical
principles and codes rather than on emotions, intuition, fixed policies, or precedent.
(Precedent is an earlier similar occurrence.)
Good decision is in client’s best interest and preserves the integrity of all involved.
Ethical Dilemmas Definition
The healthcare worker must weigh competing factors when making ethical decisions
because of the ethical obligations to clients, the employing agency, and to
physicians.
Because several people are involved in ethical decision-making, communication and
compromise are important skills for all health professionals.
Integrity-preserving compromises are likely collaborative decision-making.
Current Ethical Dilemmas
 Over the course of time as value and ethics have changed, society continues to be
presented with ever changing ethical dilemmas. For example, were abortions an
ethical dilemma before Roe vs. Wade?
 Some of the current health care ethical dilemmas are that of end of life care ,
genetic testing, quality vs quantity of life, organ donation, final trimester abortions,
etc.
Tips for presenting materials
Clearly not all of today’s ethical dilemmas can be discussed, however being
sensitive to a person’s race, religious beliefs, political beliefs, etc. is of the utmost
importance. It is also important to remember that this is not a political science
class
Current Ethical Dilemmas
Recommended Learning Activities
Assignment
Location
Notes
HCE Competency 5 Scenarios
Bioethical Case Studies
Website
This learning activity contains 6
scenarios with questions to answer
regarding bioethical issues. Topics
include DNR, HIV, Labor,
Medication, Immunizations and
Anorexia.
Grey’s Anatomy Ethical Dilemma
YouTube
Video
Class Discussion
Unit 5C: Problem Solving
Recommended Content
The problem solving process can be broken down into 10 steps.
•
Identify the problem
•
Gather information
•
Identify ethical issue
•
Is there more than one problem
•
Are there competing ethical
claims?
•
•
•
•
•
Any conflict of personal
values?
Any conflict of professional
values?
Create alternative solutions
Select and act on solution
Evaluate and revise as
needed
Problem Solving
Recommended Learning Activities
Assignment
HCE Competency 5: Scenarios
Ethical Case Study
Location
Website
Notes
This learning activity
contains 4 short scenarios
in which students answer
questions surrounding the
scenarios.
This completes the
curriculum for
Healthcare Ethics.
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What to do now?
 You’ve now been introduced to Health Care Ethics.
 Presented were key points found on the instructor resource outline and
several possible learning activities to use.
 You received tips on teaching the material, along with areas to be
sensitive to with students.
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What to do now?
 Now, click on the “Assessments” tab and complete the Healthcare Ethics
Self Assessment.
 You are invited to go to the website to preview additional learning
activities, PowerPoints, assessments, etc.
 You are encouraged to use the instructor learning resource module
outline to make notes on which online resources would benefit you and
your teaching style.
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To access the HealthForce MN Website
 Click here to access the HCCC curriculum
 Password: HCCC
 Select desired module to view
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References
College of Registered Nurses of British Columbia (CRNBC). (2011). Practice standard principles. Retrieved
from https://www.crnbc.ca/Standards/ClientRelationships/Pages/Default.asp
Hegner, B.R., Acello, B., & Caldwell, E. (2004). Nursing assistant: A nursing process approach (9th ed.).
Clifton Park, NY: Thompson Delmar Publishing
Lane, A. (2009). The importance of accountability. Retrieved from http://EzineArticles.com/3471801
References
Potter, P.A. & Perry, A.G. (2009). Ethics and values. In P.A. Potter & A.G. Perry (Eds.). Fundamentals of
nursing (7th ed.) (pp. 313-342). St. Louis, MO: Elsevier, Mosby
Ramon, P.R. & Niedringhaus, D. M. (2008). Legal and ethical issues of nursing. Fundamental nursing care
(2nd ed.) (pp. 25-44). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Person Prentice Hall
Weiss, T.C. (2009, July 21). Certified Nursing Assistant Code of Ethics. Retrieved from
http://www.disabled-world.com/disability/caregivers/cna-code-ethics.ph
Author: Dede Carr, BS, CDA, LDA
Pat Reinhart, RN
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