Transcript Ethical Issues

Ethical Issues
Code of Ethics for Health Educators
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The Code of Ethics provides a framework of
shared values within which Health Education is
practiced. The Code of Ethics is grounded in
fundamental ethical principles that underlie all
health care services:
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respect for autonomy,
promotion of social justice,
active promotion of good,
avoidance of harm.
Code of Ethics for Health Educators
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The responsibility of each health educator is
to aspire to the highest possible standards of
conduct and to encourage the ethical behavior
of all those with whom they work.
Regardless of job title, professional affiliation,
work setting, or population served, Health
Educators abide by these guidelines when
making professional decisions.
Code of Ethics for Health Educators
Article I: Responsibility to the Public
 A Health Educator's ultimate responsibility is to educate
people for the purpose of promoting, maintaining, and
improving individual, family, and community health.
 When a conflict of issues arises among individuals,
groups, organizations, agencies, or institutions, health
educators must consider all issues and give priority to
those that promote wellness and quality of living through
principles of self-determination and freedom of choice
for the individual.
Code of Ethics for Health Educators
Article II: Responsibility to the
Profession
 Health Educators are responsible for their
professional behavior, for the reputation of
their profession, and for promoting ethical
conduct among their colleagues.
Code of Ethics for Health Educators
Article III: Responsibility to Employers
 Health Educators recognize the boundaries
of their professional competence and are
accountable for their professional activities
and actions.
Code of Ethics for Health Educators
Article IV: Responsibility in the
Delivery of Health Education
 Health Educators promote integrity in the
delivery of health education. They respect
the rights, dignity, confidentiality, and
worth of all people by adapting strategies
and methods to the needs of diverse
populations and communities.
Code of Ethics for Health Educators
Article V: Responsibility in Research
and Evaluation
 When planning and conducting research
or evaluation, health educators do so in
accordance with federal and state laws
and regulations, organizational and
institutional policies, and professional
standards.
Code of Ethics for Health Educators
Article VI: Responsibility in
Professional Preparation
 Those involved in the preparation and
training of Health Educators have an
obligation to accord learners the same
respect and treatment given other groups
by providing quality education that
benefits the profession and the public.
What is Ethics?
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Definition: the study of standards of
conduct and moral judgment.
When referring to a profession, ethics is
the group’s principles or code of
appropriate behavior.
Approaches to Studying Ethics
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Descriptive Approach (what): scientific
studies, factual descriptions of a group’s
ethical practices.
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What they do. How they do it. Who does it.
When do they do it. In what context do they
do it. Etc.
No attempt to explain why or to justify their
decisions. Documentary approach. Remain
neutral.
Approaches to Studying Ethics
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Analytical or Conceptual Ethics (why):
Explaining why a group has the beliefs it
has. Clarifying and evaluation the
presuppositions. Trying to understand the
foundations and functions of the ethical
system
Approaches to Studying Ethics
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Prescriptive or Normative Ethics (should):
Defending the moral norms of a group.
Uncovering, developing, and justifying the
basic moral principles/values of a moral
system.
Moral Philosophies
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Teleology: moral rightness or wrongness of act
is judged by whether it creates good or ungood.
Ends oriented.
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“the ends justify the means”
Deontology: each act has an independent
rightness or wrongness. Consequences are not
relevant. Comes from the Greek word for “duty.”
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Immanual Kant: duty to act in a moral way takes
precedence over the consequences of one’s actions.
Ethical Principles for HS Managers
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Respect for Persons
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Autonomy: allow others to govern
themselves wherever and whenever possible.
Truth telling: be honest in all one does.
Confidentiality: keep secret what you learn
about people. Often has strict legal
requirements to ensure this.
Fidelity: doing one’s duty and keeping one’s
word. Promise keeping.
Ethical Principles for HS Managers
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Beneficence: acting with charity and
kindness. Providing benefits, and
balancing benefits against harms. Acting
in someone’s best interest.
Nonmaleficence: “first, do no harm.” Do
not intentionally put people at risk.
These two balance each other.
Ethical Principles for HS Managers
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Justice: especially important to managers
and others who make decisions about
resource allocation. Requires consistent
application of decision criteria.
Equal vs. equitable