Ethical Decisions and Confidentiality
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Running Head: ETHICS AND CONFIDENTIALITY
Ethical Decisions for Confidentiality
Ethical Decisions for Confidentiality
Describing ethical dilemmas are often confused with the concept of right and wrong. Many people think that an immoral decision contradicts the understanding of ethics. Ethical dilemmas do not involve right or wrong, but they test the perception of acceptability based on morals and values. Ethics do not rely upon religion, law, and/or science as a means of understanding and defining ethical standards. Beliefs and perception defines ethics and overall morality. For example, in Africa, female genital mutilation is an accepted practice among tribesman. However, in the United States, people perceive this tradition as offensive and abusive towards human rights. One society perceives this action as tradition while another categorizes it as immoral. Confidentiality falls into the category of perceived standards. The writer suggests that events should dictate the response.
Breaching confidentiality can open up Pandora’s box. When one violation occurs, the violator usually justifies violating other principles based on a perceived outcome. Confidentiality can be dated all the way back to the Hippocratic oath. The oath swears to uphold the duties and actions that will best serve the patient physically, mentally, and ethically. To break confidentiality would result in a defection from the oath. Confidentiality preserves privacy and a client/patient relationship. When either issue is broken, trust is lost.
In the situation of the ER doctor, young patients are usually more hesitant in regards to medical care. The primary reason is because young people do not want to alert parental guardians to their private affairs. Thus, a lack of confidentiality and in turn a lack of privacy and trust, will deter younger people from seeking out medical treatment or more importantly receive mental support. Without confidentiality full treatment...
Ethical Decisions for Confidentiality
Ethical Decisions for Confidentiality
Describing ethical dilemmas are often confused with the concept of right and wrong. Many people think that an immoral decision contradicts the understanding of ethics. Ethical dilemmas do not involve right or wrong, but they test the perception of acceptability based on morals and values. Ethics do not rely upon religion, law, and/or science as a means of understanding and defining ethical standards. Beliefs and perception defines ethics and overall morality. For example, in Africa, female genital mutilation is an accepted practice among tribesman. However, in the United States, people perceive this tradition as offensive and abusive towards human rights. One society perceives this action as tradition while another categorizes it as immoral. Confidentiality falls into the category of perceived standards. The writer suggests that events should dictate the response.
Breaching confidentiality can open up Pandora’s box. When one violation occurs, the violator usually justifies violating other principles based on a perceived outcome. Confidentiality can be dated all the way back to the Hippocratic oath. The oath swears to uphold the duties and actions that will best serve the patient physically, mentally, and ethically. To break confidentiality would result in a defection from the oath. Confidentiality preserves privacy and a client/patient relationship. When either issue is broken, trust is lost.
In the situation of the ER doctor, young patients are usually more hesitant in regards to medical care. The primary reason is because young people do not want to alert parental guardians to their private affairs. Thus, a lack of confidentiality and in turn a lack of privacy and trust, will deter younger people from seeking out medical treatment or more importantly receive mental support. Without confidentiality full treatment...