Understanding right and wrong can be complex, especially in healthcare.
Decision-making often requires quick judgments without extensive discussion on ethics.
Example Scenario: Train Conundrum
A train is headed towards 20 people.
You have the option to pull a lever to divert the train, causing it to kill one person instead.
This raises the question: Should you act to minimize casualties or do nothing?
The George Floyd incident illustrates the complexity of moral choices.
One must consider if inaction is a choice in itself, leading to moral confusion.
Different backgrounds and beliefs (religion, culture, age) impact one's moral compass.
Ethical care in healthcare must accommodate diverse perspectives.
Importance of delivering standardized ethical care regardless of individual differences.
Reference to a specific document (code of ethics) that is essential for study and understanding ethical frameworks.
Students are to break into groups and discuss specific ethical terms and concepts.
The importance of examples from real life or clinical experiences to understand these terms better.
Definition of Ethical or Moral Dilemma
Arises when there are compelling reasons for and against multiple actions.
Makes decision-making challenging, as one must choose one over the other.
Ethical distress occurs when nurses cannot act according to their moral judgment due to systemic or personal constraints.
Such situations can create feelings of frustration and guilt but can also lead to self-reflection and growth.
Resilience helps individuals overcome ethical challenges and maintain commitment to their values.
Encourages advocacy for ethical actions despite setbacks.
An example of a complicated healthcare situation involving a patient with severe complications.
The emotional distress experienced by healthcare teams when discussing difficult prognosis and treatment with patients and their families.
Highlights the strain of feeling unable to provide the best care due to legal and systemic limitations.
Acknowledgment of the challenges in ethical decision-making and the necessity of understanding different moral perspectives in healthcare.