Healthcare Ethics Exam 2

Utilitarian Ethics

-It is a Secular Theory meaning it is not grounded by God.

-The basic principle believes in the greatest good for the greatest amount of people.

How does utilitarian ethics view a person?

They view a person as a sentient being

What is the utilitarian perspective on abortion?

It is not immoral

Utilitarian perspective on the case of Baby Theresa

They were for the harvesting of her organs because of the fact that they would have been able to save the lives of other infants.

Utilitarian perspective on Physician Assisted Suicide

They would be for physician assisted suicide because of the fact that the action would be saving the patient from pain and suffering.

Kantian Ethics

-Secular Theory not grounded by God

-Premised on the belief that general guiding principles for moral behavior can be derived from human nature

-Acts only on universal law

Kantian ethics definition of a person

-any rational being

-also the origin of animal rights

Kantian ethics position on Baby Theresa

They would have been against it because it means that they were using baby Theresa and her parents as a means to an end.

Kantian ethics position on abortion

Against it as it is immoral

Kantian ethics position on Physician Assisted Suicide

Against it because it uses the person as a means to an end. This ethical position believes that you shouldn't end your own life willingly.

Virtue Ethics

-An ethical philosophy claiming that morality's primary function is to develop virtuous character.

-This came from Aristotle's way of thinking

-Said that we all have the capability to be virtuous, but we have to learn how to do it.

Doctrine of the Mean

Says that a virtuous person:

1. Seeks the midway point between emotions and actions

2. Sees too little or too much of one thing as a vice

Definition of virtue

Intrinsically desirable traits of thought, attitude, and behavior

What is the focus of virtue ethics?

It focuses on the character of an individual rather than their actions?

Who was the founder of virtue ethics?

Aristotle

Care ethics

-An ethical theory that emphasizes the importance of relationships, and which holds that the development of morals does not come about by learning general moral principles

Care ethics founder

Carol Gilligan

What is the focus of care ethics?

The focus is on relationships that are had with others

Stages of moral development within care ethics

Gilligan said that women go through all 5 stages of Kohlberg's moral development and don't just stop at stage 3. However, her research says that women tend to return to stage 3 but it is because they tend to respond to moral situations by taking into account their appeal to emotions as well as their relationships with others.

Care stages of moral development

-Concern for self (kids)

-Concern for others (caution self-sacrificing) Ex. give up things for others

-Concern for self and others (highest stage) Ex. A balancing act where you don't sacrifice everything, but you still care about others

Justice Perspective

Focuses on the rights of the individual and in which individuals independently make moral decisions

Kohlberg's stages of moral development

-preconventional (Ex. Fear of punishment)

-conventional (Ex. Following the law)

-postconventional (Ex. acting on moral conscience... think Martin Luther King or Elanor Roosevelt)

What was important in the Case of Tatiana Tarasoff

Established the duty to warn in healthcare.

-Said that a healthcare provider now has the right to warn a third party if they are in danger

-Allowed them to break confidentiality for the reason listed above.

Confidentiality

-Enforced by HIPAA

-Violation of confidentiality will cause loss of license

- Used to maintain the Autonomy and Privacy of patient's health information

Universalism

the ethical system stating that all people should uphold certain values that society needs to function

Universalism in regards medical confidentiality

in most cases, health care professionals and investigators may not share private medical information beyond what was agreed upon by the patient

Types of confidentiality:

Absolutism

hold true with no exceptions

Types of confidentiality:

Universalism

Holds true with some exceptions

Types of confidentiality:

Skepticism

Medical confidentiality is an illusion