Ethics in Clinical Practice: What’s the right thing to do?
Ethics in Clinical Practice: What’s the right thing to do?
Issue 28 – July 2011
Author: Phil Houghton (philip.houghton@nottshc.nhs.uk)Key points
- Within clinical practice we are often faced with the question “what’s the right thing to do?”
- Whilst we can not guarantee making the “right” decision, ethical frameworks exist which can help us make decisions in the right way
Implications for practice
- Paying attention to our emotional reactions within clinical practice can help us stop and identify ethical dilemmas and lead to consideration of different ways forward
- Trying to articulate our underlying assumptions about mental health and allowing them to be questioned can promote ethical practice
- Ethical dilemmas faced by clinicians can be discussed at the clinical ethics committee.
- What are the relevant facts? What’s the appropriate decision making process?
- What are the possible options and morally significant features of each?
- What does the law or published guidance say about each option?
- What are the moral arguments in favour and against each option?
- Identify the strongest counter argument to your favoured option and try and rebut this
- Make a decision and review and learn from it in light of what happens
REFERENCES
- Sandel, M, J. (2009) Justice: What’s the right thing to do?. Penguin
- UK Clinical Ethics Network: www.ethics-network.org.uk (accessed 25.05.11)
- Bentall, R. (2004) Madness Explained: Psychosis and Human Nature. Penguin
- Houghton, P. (2008) Understanding Psychosis. Clinical Psychology Bite-Size, edition 1
- Houghton, P (2008) Values Based Practice. Clinical Psychology Bite-Size, edition 9
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