Healthcare Ethics, Diversity, Equity, and Social Theory

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering social theories of health, diversity, equity, inclusion, principles of justice, medical ethics models and pillars, ethical decision-making, implicit/explicit cognitive biases, and privilege in healthcare.

Health (WHO Definition)

A state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.

Stigmatization

The assignment of negative perceptions to an individual because of perceived differences from the rest of society.

Medicalization

The process by which previously "normal" aspects of life are redefined as requiring medical intervention.

Functionalism (Health Perspective)

A social theoretical perspective holding that health is vital to society, the "sick role" defines appropriate behavior for the sick and caregivers, and medical providers play a role in legitimizing illness.

Social Constructionism (Health Perspective)

A social theoretical perspective holding that health and illness are social constructions, considering medicalization and demedicalization as well as subjective norms about various illnesses.

Critical Theory (Health Perspective)

A social theoretical perspective holding that illness is used by those with power to actively suppress others, medicalization enriches the elite of the healthcare system, and companies profit from illness.

Diversity

All the ways in which people differ.

Equity

Fair treatment, access, opportunity, and advancement for all people, where one's identity cannot predict the outcome.

Inclusion

A condition in which a variety of people have power, a voice, and decision-making authority.

Desert (Principle of Justice)

A principle of justice defined as getting what is deserved.

Fairness (Principle of Justice)

A principle of justice defined as treating equals equally.

Equality (Principle of Justice)

A principle of justice defined as everyone getting the same treatment.

Righteousness (Principle of Justice)

A principle of justice defined as rewarding "right" behavior.

Justice (Systems Context)

Fixing the system to offer equal access to both tools and opportunities.

Mortality

The number and rate of deaths in a population.

Morbidity

The number of nonfatal health outcomes.

Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALY)

A summary measure of health status that combines mortality and morbidity.

Cost (Health Measure)

The economic burden incurred as a consequence of health conditions.

Utilitarianism (Consequentialism)

An ethical model focused on maximizing overall good or benefit, where ethical conduct is defined as the action that achieves the best consequences.

Duty-Based Ethics (Deontology)

An ethical model focused on following moral rules and duties, where ethical conduct involves always doing the right thing and fulfilling obligations regardless of outcome.

Virtue Ethics

An ethical model focused on the character and virtues of the moral agent, defining ethical conduct as whatever a fully virtuous person would do.

Autonomy

A pillar of medical ethics focused on respecting patients' rights to make their own choices.

Beneficence

A pillar of medical ethics focused on actively doing good for the patient and promoting the well-being of others.

Non-maleficence

A pillar of medical ethics defined as the obligation to avoid inflicting harm intentionally.

Justice (Medical Ethics Pillar)

A pillar of medical ethics focused on fairness in the treatment and distribution of healthcare resources.

Ethical Distress

A type of ethical problem where the decision-maker feels blocked from doing what they believe is right.

Ethical Dilemma

A type of ethical problem where there are two morally correct courses of action that cannot both be followed.

Locus of Authority Problem

A type of ethical problem where it is unclear who has the authority to make a decision, or the wrong entity holds that authority.

Six-Step Ethical Decision-Making Process

A framework adapted from Purtilo: 1) Gather relevant information, 2) Identify the type of ethical problem, 3) Use ethics theories to analyze the problems, 4) Explore practical alternatives, 5) Complete the action, and 6) Evaluate the process and outcome.

Bias

A particular tendency, trend, inclination, feeling, or opinion, especially one that is preconceived or unreasoned.

Explicit Bias

Attitudes and beliefs we have about a person or group on a conscious level.

Implicit Bias

Preferences or aversions to a person or group that occur on an unconscious level.

Overconfidence Bias

A cognitive bias characterized by a false sense of one's own talent or skill.

Self-Serving Bias

A cognitive bias consisting of the propensity to attribute positive outcomes to skill and negative outcomes to luck.

Herd Mentality

A cognitive bias where an individual uses the decisions of others to drive their own decisions.

Loss Aversion

A cognitive bias involving the tendency to work to avoid negative outcomes more than work towards positive outcomes.

Framing

A cognitive bias where decisions are made based on how information is presented.

Narrative Fallacy

A cognitive bias similar to framing where people are drawn to stories at the expense of relevant information.

Anchoring

A cognitive bias where pre-existing data is used as a reference point for all subsequent data.

Confirmation Bias

A cognitive bias where people seek out information and data that confirms pre-existing ideas.

Privilege

Certain social advantages, benefits, or degrees of prestige and respect that an individual has by virtue of belonging to certain social identity groups.