Introduction to Ethical Theory and Healthcare Ethics

Summary

This presentation delves into the realm of ethical theories and their critical role in healthcare ethics. It explores consequentialist theories like utilitarianism, emphasizing outcomes for the greater good, and non-consequentialist theories like deontology and principlism, focusing on duties, principles, and individual rights. Virtue ethics and Christian ethics are also examined, highlighting moral character and unconditional love. The discussion extends to mixed theories, such as feminist ethics and care ethics, which advocate for inclusivity and social justice. The presentation underscores the importance of understanding and applying these theories to navigate complex moral dilemmas in healthcare, promoting equitable and compassionate patient care.

Takeaways

• 📚 The presentation introduces foundational ethical theories and their applications in healthcare, emphasizing their importance in decision-making throughout the semester.
• 🏛️ The history of ethics is explored, highlighting the evolution from ancient ethics with Socrates and Plato to modern secular ethics during the Enlightenment, influencing contemporary healthcare ethics.
• 🌐 Consequentialist theory, including utilitarianism, is discussed, focusing on the morality of actions based on their outcomes and their application in public health and resource allocation.
• 📜 Non-consequentialist theories like deontology are contrasted with consequentialism, emphasizing moral duties and principles over outcomes, which is crucial in upholding ethical standards in healthcare.
• 🏥 Principlism, a practical framework in healthcare ethics, is detailed, outlining four core principles—autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, and justice—that guide ethical decision-making.
• 🌱 Virtue ethics is introduced, shifting focus from actions and outcomes to the moral character of the healthcare provider, encouraging the cultivation of virtues like compassion and empathy.
• ✝️ Christian ethics, with its emphasis on love, charity, and the inherent dignity of individuals, is discussed for its influence on moral decision-making, particularly in advocating for the marginalized.
• 🧩 Mixed theories, such as feminist ethics and care ethics, are highlighted for their integrative approach to ethical decision-making, combining insights from various ethical frameworks to address complex moral dilemmas.
• 🌟 Feminist ethics is explored, emphasizing care, critique of traditional ethics, and social justice, advocating for a more inclusive and equitable healthcare system.
• 🔍 Comparative analysis of ethical theories is provided, discussing the differences and intersections between consequentialism, non-consequentialism, principlism, deontology, and mixed theories.

Q & A

What are the main topics covered in the presentation on ethical theory and healthcare ethics?

The presentation covers foundational ethical theories and their applications within the healthcare field, including consequentialist theory, non-consequentialist theory, deontology, principlism, virtue ethics, Christian ethics, and mixed theories such as feminist ethics and care ethics.

How does consequentialist theory apply to healthcare decision-making?

Consequentialist theory, particularly utilitarianism, applies to healthcare by prioritizing actions that maximize overall happiness or utility for the greatest number of people, often influencing public health policies and resource allocation.

What is the main criticism of consequentialist theory in healthcare?

A common critique of consequentialist theory is that it can justify harmful actions if they result in a perceived greater good, and predicting outcomes can be challenging due to unforeseen consequences.

What does non-consequentialist theory emphasize in healthcare ethics?

Non-consequentialist theory emphasizes the inherent nature of actions themselves, moral duties, and adherence to rules or principles, rather than the consequences they produce.

How does deontology differ from consequentialism in healthcare ethics?

Deontology focuses on the inherent morality of actions and adherence to a set of rules or duties, unlike consequentialism which evaluates actions based on their outcomes.

What are the four core principles of principlism in healthcare ethics?

The four core principles of principlism are autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, and justice, which guide healthcare professionals in navigating complex ethical issues.

What is virtue ethics and how does it relate to healthcare?

Virtue ethics emphasizes the importance of moral character and the development of virtuous traits. In healthcare, it encourages practitioners to cultivate qualities like honesty, compassion, and empathy for effective patient care.

How does Christian ethics influence moral decision-making in healthcare?

Christian ethics influences healthcare by emphasizing principles like unconditional love (agape), the inherent dignity of all individuals, and holistic care, which includes addressing physical, emotional, spiritual, and social needs.

What are the core principles of feminist ethics in healthcare?

Feminist ethics in healthcare emphasizes the importance of care in relationships, critiques traditional ethics for overlooking the experiences of marginalized groups, and promotes social justice and equity.

How do mixed theories contribute to ethical decision-making in healthcare?

Mixed theories contribute by integrating diverse ethical perspectives, allowing for flexibility and nuanced analysis of ethical challenges, and considering multiple viewpoints and contexts in decision-making.

What is the significance of understanding different ethical theories for healthcare professionals?

Understanding different ethical theories is significant for healthcare professionals as it enables them to navigate complex ethical dilemmas, promote equitable care, advocate for patients' rights, and make decisions that are informed by a broader array of values and principles.

Outlines

00:00

📚 Introduction to Ethical Theories in Healthcare

This segment introduces the audience to the foundational ethical theories and their applications in healthcare. It highlights the importance of understanding these theories for decision-making in healthcare settings. The presentation will cover a brief history of ethics, from ancient philosophers like Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle to modern concepts like bioethics. The module emphasizes the significance of these theories in analyzing and influencing real-world healthcare decisions, with a focus on consequentialist theory, which judges the morality of an action by its outcomes.

05:00

🔍 Deep Dive into Utilitarianism and Non-Consequentialist Theories

This part of the presentation delves into utilitarianism, a consequentialist theory that promotes the greatest good for the greatest number of people. It discusses the works of Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill, emphasizing the greatest happiness principle and qualitative considerations of happiness. The application of utilitarianism in healthcare, particularly in public health policies and resource allocation, is explored. The segment then contrasts utilitarianism with non-consequentialist theories, which focus on the inherent nature of actions, moral duties, and adherence to rules or principles, crucial in situations where ethical principles must be upheld regardless of outcomes.

10:02

🏥 Deontology and Principlism in Healthcare Ethics

The third paragraph discusses deontology, a non-consequentialist theory that emphasizes duty, intention, and adherence to moral principles over outcomes. It mentions Emanuel Kant's influence on deontological ethics and its application in healthcare practices like informed consent and confidentiality. Following this, principlism is introduced as an ethical approach using four fundamental principles—autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, and justice—to guide decision-making in healthcare. The paragraph explains how these principles are applied in various healthcare scenarios and the challenges of balancing them.

15:02

🌿 Virtue Ethics and Christian Ethics in Healthcare

This section shifts focus to virtue ethics, which emphasizes moral character and the development of virtuous traits. It discusses Aristotle's influence on this theory and its implications for healthcare, encouraging the cultivation of virtues like honesty and compassion. The paragraph also covers Christian ethics, derived from Christian teachings, emphasizing love, charity, and the inherent dignity of all individuals. It discusses how these principles guide healthcare providers to advocate for patient well-being and equitable access to care.

20:03

🧩 Mixed Theories and Feminist Ethics in Ethical Decision-Making

The fifth paragraph introduces mixed theories, which integrate elements from multiple ethical theories to address complex moral dilemmas. It discusses care ethics and narrative ethics, emphasizing the importance of interpersonal relationships and personal narratives in ethical decision-making. Feminist ethics is also explored, focusing on inclusivity, social justice, and the moral experiences of women and marginalized groups. The paragraph highlights how mixed theories provide a nuanced approach to ethical decision-making in healthcare, considering diverse viewpoints and contexts.

25:04

🤔 Comparative Analysis of Ethical Theories

The final paragraph provides a comparative analysis of the ethical theories discussed, highlighting the differences and intersections among them. It contrasts consequentialism's focus on outcomes with non-consequentialism's emphasis on intentions and rules. It also examines the balance between individual rights and the collective good, as well as the rigidity of principles in deontology versus the flexibility of mixed theories. The paragraph concludes by emphasizing the importance of understanding these theories for ethical decision-making in healthcare and encourages active engagement with ethical challenges.

Keywords

💡Ethical Theories

Ethical theories are frameworks that guide moral reasoning and decision-making. In the context of the video, these theories are foundational to understanding healthcare ethics, as they inform how professionals approach ethical dilemmas in patient care and medical practice. The video explores various ethical theories, including consequentialism, deontology, and virtue ethics, each providing a unique perspective on what constitutes ethical behavior in healthcare.

💡Consequentialism

Consequentialism, also known as utilitarianism, is an ethical theory that judges the morality of an action based on its outcomes. The video explains that in healthcare, consequentialist thinking often leads to decisions that maximize overall benefits for the greatest number of people, such as in public health policies and resource allocation. It is highlighted as particularly important for its role in justifying actions that prioritize the well-being of populations.

💡Deontology

Deontology is an ethical theory that emphasizes duty and adherence to moral rules, regardless of the consequences. The video mentions that in healthcare, deontological ethics translates to principles like 'do no harm' and maintaining patient confidentiality. It is contrasted with consequentialism, highlighting its focus on the inherent morality of actions rather than their outcomes.

💡Principlism

Principlism is an ethical approach that uses four fundamental principles to guide decision-making in healthcare: autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, and justice. The video describes how principlism serves as a practical framework for navigating complex ethical issues by providing clear and actionable guidelines. It is presented as a cornerstone of modern healthcare ethics, helping professionals balance individual rights with the collective good.

💡Virtue Ethics

Virtue ethics is a theory that focuses on the moral character of the individual rather than the consequences of their actions. The video discusses how virtue ethics in healthcare emphasizes the development of virtuous traits like compassion and honesty, which are essential for ethical practice. It contrasts with other theories by prioritizing the kind of person one is over the actions they take or the outcomes they achieve.

💡Christian Ethics

Christian ethics refers to moral principles derived from Christian teachings and scriptures. In the video, it is described as emphasizing love, charity, and the inherent dignity of all individuals. These principles guide healthcare professionals to prioritize patient well-being and advocate for equitable access to care, reflecting the influence of religious thought on ethical practices in medicine.

💡Mixed Theories

Mixed theories are ethical frameworks that integrate elements from multiple theories to address complex moral dilemmas. The video mentions care ethics and narrative ethics as examples, which focus on the importance of interpersonal relationships and personal narratives in ethical decision-making. Mixed theories offer a nuanced approach to healthcare ethics, allowing for a more comprehensive understanding of ethical issues.

💡Feminist Ethics

Feminist ethics is an approach that seeks to highlight and address the moral experiences and needs of women and marginalized groups. The video discusses how feminist ethics critiques traditional ethical theories for overlooking these perspectives and emphasizes the importance of care, relationships, and social justice in healthcare. It encourages a more inclusive and equitable approach to ethical decision-making.

💡Bioethics

Bioethics is a multidisciplinary approach to ethical issues arising in biology, medicine, and health. The video notes the rise of bioethics as a significant development in contemporary ethics, particularly in healthcare. It reflects a focus on applied ethics, addressing the complexities of modern healthcare while remaining rooted in the history of ethical thought.

💡Moral Dilemmas

Moral dilemmas are situations where ethical principles conflict, making it challenging to determine the right course of action. The video discusses how various ethical theories help navigate these dilemmas in healthcare settings. Understanding and applying these theories are crucial for making informed decisions that balance competing ethical considerations.

Highlights

Introduction to ethical theories and their application in healthcare ethics.

Exploration of foundational ethical theories influencing healthcare decision-making.

Review of the history of Ethics, from ancient to modern times.

Discussion on consequentialist theory and its focus on outcomes.

Utilitarianism as a prominent consequentialist theory prioritizing overall happiness.

Non-consequentialist theory emphasizing moral duties and principles over outcomes.

Deontology, a non-consequentialist theory focusing on adherence to moral rules or duties.

Principlism, an ethical approach using four fundamental principles in healthcare decision-making.

Virtue ethics, focusing on moral character and the development of virtuous traits.

Christian ethics, emphasizing love, dignity, and holistic care.

Mixed theories, integrating diverse ethical perspectives for a nuanced approach.

Feminist ethics, highlighting the moral experience and needs of women and marginalized groups.

Comparative analysis of ethical theories, focusing on outcomes versus intentions.

Discussion on individual rights versus the collective good in ethical decision-making.

Comparison between rigid principles of deontology and the flexible approaches of mixed theories.

Encouragement for active engagement with ethical challenges in healthcare.

The importance of applying ethical theories to real-world healthcare scenarios.

Transcripts

hi everyone this presentation is an

introduction to ethical Theory and

Healthcare ethics today we'll explore

foundational ethical theories and their

applications within the healthcare field

this module is probably the most content

heavy of any of the modules this

semester and it's very foundational in

this presentation we'll explore key

ethical theories that inform

decision-making and healthc Care

settings and we will continue to come

back to these theories throughout the

semester and practice applying them to

various cases

study in this presentation we will

review a brief history of Ethics we will

explore several key ethical theories

that you can see listed on this slide

and we will look at each of these in

more

detail and we'll look at how these

theories can be used to analyze and

influence real world Healthcare

decision- making and

practice so the history of Ethics

provides a foundational understanding of

how moral philosophy has evolved and

influenced modern ethical practices

especially in

healthcare first let's consider

ancients ethics ancient Roots Socrates

emphasized the importance of questioning

and dialogue his method involved

critical questioning to explore moral

Concepts and to encourage

self-reflection on ethical beliefs Plato

introduced the concept of Ideal forms

and the pursuit of the good life his

Works often emphasize the importance of

justice and virtue laying the groundwork

for later ethical theories Aristotle

built upon these ideas by proposing

virtue ethics which focuses on the

development of good character traits or

virtues rather than strict rules or

Consequences he believed ethical

behavior is about achieving a balanced

and virtuous life which has profound

implications for personal conduct in

medicine during the Medieval Era the

integration of religious thought with

ethical considerations became prominent

Christian ethics emphasized virtues such

as Charity humility and the moral

responsibility of individuals natural

law theory posited that human beings

could discern right from wrong through

reason and this idea continues to

influence Healthcare practices

today the modern era and the

enlightenment marked a shift towards

secular ethics F focusing on reason and

individual rights and evaluating actions

based on their

outcomes today in contemporary ethics we

see a significant emphasis on applied

ethics particularly in healthcare the

rise of bioethics has created a

multi-disciplinary approach aimed at

addressing the complexities of modern

Healthcare while remaining rooted in the

rich history of ethical

thought this slide outlines the ethical

theories that we'll explore in this

presentation each of these theories

provides a unique perspective on ethical

decision-making in healthc care and

understanding them is crucial for

navigating complex moral dilemmas we'll

look more closely at each of these

theories in the next

slides first first let's look at

consequentialist Theory this Theory or

consequentialism posits that the

morality of an action is determined by

its outcomes or Consequences this means

an action is considered ethical if it

produces favorable results or maximizes

good for the greatest number of people

when applying consequentialist Theory

healthc Care Professionals often ask

themselves what are the results of this

action the medical decision or

intervention are the results of this

action beneficial what are the potential

benefits and risks consequentialism is

particularly important in the realm of

Public Health policies and programs

often rely on consequentialist reasoning

to justify their implementation for

example decisions about vaccination

programs are typically based on the

expected benefits of herd immunity

versus the risks involved for

individuals in resource allocation

allocation Healthcare Systems must often

make tough decisions about distribut

limited resources a consequentialist

approach helps policy makers prioritize

interventions that yield the greatest

benefit for the largest number of

people consequentialism can manifest in

various clinical scenarios such as

treatment decisions and public health

initiatives such as smoking cessation

programs while consequentialism provides

a clear framework for evaluating actions

it's not without its criticisms one

common critique is that it can justify

harmful actions if they result in a

perceived greater good additionally

predicting outcomes can be challenging

as unforeseen consequences may arise

from seemingly well-intentioned

actions so in summary consequentialist

EMP consequentialism emphasizes the

importance of outcomes in assessing the

morality of an

action utilitarianism is one of the most

prominent ethical theories with the in

the broader category of

consequentialism it asserts that the

best action is the one that Max IES

overall happiness or utility the

fundamental goal is to promote the

greatest good for the greatest number of

people in healthcare this often

translates to decisions that prioritize

the well-being of populations rather

than

individuals key figures are Jeremy

Bentham and John Stewart Mill Bentham

introduced the concept of the greatest

happiness principle believing that

actions should be evaluated based on

their capacity to produce pleasure or

reduce pain his approach is quantitative

emphasizing measure uring happiness John

Stuart Mill expanded on these ideas by

introducing qualitative considerations

arguing that not all pleasures are equal

and that intellectual and moral

Pleasures are superior to Mere physical

Pleasures when we look at applying

utilitarianism and Healthcare it's

helpful to look at Public Health

policies and resource

allocation it heavily influences Public

Health initiatives such as vaccine

programs as we just

discussed um these programs are

Justified on the basis that they protect

the larger Community even if some

individuals may experience discomfort or

side effects an example of resource

allocation might be funding for programs

that provide the most significant health

benefits to the largest segments of the

population such as preventative care

initiatives rather than high cost

treatments for just a few

people again despite its strengths it

has been criticized for potentially

justifying actions that harm individuals

for the sake of the greater

good additionally measuring happiness or

utility can be challenging the

subjective nature of Happiness

complicates the task of predicting

outcomes accurately in conclusion

utilitarianism emphasizes the importance

of maximizing overall happiness and

guiding Professionals in making

decisions that impact public health and

resource

distribution non-consequentialist Theory

represents a significant ethical

framework that contrasts sharply with

consequentialism non-consequentialism

asserts that the moral of an action is

determined by factors other than the

consequences it produces instead of

focusing on outcomes this Theory

emphasizes the inherent nature of the

actions themselves moral duties and

adherence to rules or principles this

perspective is essential in healthcare

where practitioners often face

situations where ethical principles must

be upheld regardless of the potential

outcome when applying

non-consequentialist ethics Healthcare

professionals often consider what are

the moral duties involved D such as the

duty to respect patient autonomy or

maintain confidentiality are the actions

justifiable Healthcare Providers must

evaluate whether their actions align

with ethical standards and professional

codes of conduct regardless of the

consequences non-consequentialism acts

as a safeguard against potential ethical

breaches that might arise from purely

outcome driven decisionmaking for

instance principles like patient

autonomy are informed con and informed

consent are are deeply rooted in

non-consequentialist

ethics non-consequentialist principles

have several practical applications and

guide numerous Health Care practices

such as informed consent and

confidentiality critics of these

theories are that they can sometimes

lead to rigid adherence of rules that

may not account for unique

circumstances um these critiques and

critics argue that in complex situations

and exclusive focus on duty can result

in moral dilemmas where competing duties

conflict making decision-making

challenging so remember that

non-consequentialist theory in summary

emphasizes moral duties and principles

over

outcomes deontology is the most notable

non-consequentialist Theory it asserts

that the morality of an action is

determined by whether it whether it

adheres to a set of rules or

duties unlike consequentialism which

evaluates actions based on outcomes

deontology focuses on the inherent

morality of actions themselves in

healthcare this translates to adhering

to principles such as Do no harm and

maintaining patient

confidentiality the most influential

philosopher in deontological ethics was

Emanuel Kant he proposed that moral

actions are those performed out of Duty

and guided by reason he believed that

moral principles must be universally

applicable so true for all people

deontological principles guide numerous

essential practices in healthcare um

such as informed consent Healthcare

Providers have a duty to ensure that

patients are fully informed about their

treatment options risks and benefits

respecting this Duty upholds patient

autonomy and empowers individuals to

make knowledgeable decisions about their

health second

confidentiality this obligation is to

maintain patient confidentiality and is

a fundamental ethical Duty healthc Care

Professionals must protect patient

information reinforcing trust and

respect for patient rights third there's

a duty to care Healthcare professionals

have a moral obligation to provide care

to those in need regardless of personal

beliefs or external pressures this Duty

ures that ethical standards are upheld

in all clinical

interactions one significant critique of

this theory is that strict adherence to

duties can lead to morally problematic

outcomes for example a rigid application

of Duty might prevent a healthcare

provider from acting in a way that could

save a life if it conflicts with

established protocols additionally

situations often arise where conflicting

duties exist such as patient autonomy

and acting in a patient's best interest

so in summary deontology serves as a

critical ethical framework in healthcare

emphasizing the importance of Duty

intention and adherence to moral

principles the next Theory we'll discuss

is principlism principlism is an ethical

approach that employs four fundamental

principles to guide decision-making in

healthcare it serves as a practical

framework that helps healthc Care

Professionals navigate complex ethical

issues by providing clear and actionable

guidelines bamp and childrenis are two

philosophers whose work laid the

foundation for understanding and

applying these principles in healthcare

their influence has shaped bioethical

discussions and practices in both

clinical and academic settings making

principlism a Cornerstone of mod

Healthcare

ethics it includes four Concepts four

Core Concepts autonomy beneficence

non-maleficence and Justice autonomy

emphasizes the right of individuals to

make informed decisions about their own

lives and Healthcare respecting patient

autonomy means providing patients with

all necessary information to make

knowledgeable choices regarding their

treatment

options beneficence refers to the

ethical obligation to act in ways that

promote the well-being of patients this

principle urges Healthcare professionals

to prioritize the best interest of their

patients in all

decisions non-maleficence is often

summarized as Do no harm this principle

stresses the importance of avoiding

actions that could cause unnecessary

harm or suffering to patients healthc

care providers must weigh the potential

risks against the benefits of any

intervention an example would be

considering whether the potential side

effects of a medic a justify its use in

a particular

patient the principle of Justice

emphasizes fairness and equity in health

care delivery it calls for the fair

distribution of Health Care Resources

and the need to ensure that all

individuals have equal access to

care principlism provides a practical

framework for ethical analysis and

decision-making in various Health Care

scenarios such as informed consent

treatment plans and resource allocation

a case example of principlism would be

considering a situation in which a

patient requests a potentially risky

treatment for a terminal illness a

principlist approach would require the

healthcare team to respect the

patients's autonomy while also carefully

evaluating the treatment's beneficence

and non-maleficence ultimately working

to find a balance that honors the

patients W wishes while ensuring they're

fully informed of the potential

risks while principlism is widely

respected it also faces some critiques

some argue that the principles May

conflict with one another leading to

dilemmas that lack a clear resolution

critics also suggest that the framework

May oversimplify complex e ethical

situations and fail to account for the

broader social and contextual factors

that influence Healthcare decisions so

in summary this Theory offers a

structured and pragmatic approach to

ethical decision- making in healthcare

grounded in four core principles that

guide profession

in navigating ethical

dilemmas we're now going to shift our

focus a bit and discuss virtue ethics

virtue ethics is a distinctive ethical

theory that shifts the focus from rules

and consequences to the character of the

moral

agent let's explore virtue ethics and

its significance in healthcare virtue

ethics is an ethical framework that

emphasizes the importance of moral

character and the development of

virtuous traits rather than solely focus

on the actions taken or the outcomes

achieved virtue ethics posits that

ethical Behavior arises from the kind of

person one is this perspective

encourages individuals to cultivate

qualities that promote good character

Aristotle is often regarded as the

father of virtue ethics believing that

virtues such as courage Temperance and

wisdom are essential for achieving a

state of

flourishing virtue ethics consists of

several core principles first first a

focus on moral character virtue ethics

centers on who we are as individuals

rather than just our actions or their

consequences this approach prompts

healthc Care Professionals to reflect on

their character and strive for personal

growth second the importance of

developing virtues virtues are positive

character traits that guide ethical

Behavior practitioners are encouraged to

cultivate virtues such as honesty

compassion empathy humility which are

essential for fostering effective

patient relationships and ethical

practice virtue ethics has profound

implications for healthcare because of

its focus on these virtues consider a

situation where a healthc care provider

is faced with a difficult patient who's

non-compliant with treatment a virtue

ethics approach would emphasize the

importance of approaching the patient

with empathy and understanding seeking

to build a trusting relationship rather

than solely focusing on the patient's

compliance again there are critique to

Virtue ethics primarily regarding its

vagueness critics argue that it can be

challenging to determine what

constitutes a virtue and how to

prioritize different virtues in a

complex situation so in conclusion by

focusing on moral character and the

cultivation of Virtues Healthcare

professionals can foster compassionate

trustworthy and effective patient care

ultimately contributing to a more

ethical Health Care

System Christian ethics is an important

ethical framework that has significantly

influenced moral decision- making in

various

Fields Christian ethics refers to a set

of moral principles that are derived

from Christian teachings scriptures and

Theological perspectives this ethical

framework emphasizes the importance of

living a life that aligns with the

teachings of Jesus Christ and the

broader Christian Trad tradition it

serves as a guide for moral behavior and

decision-making especially in contexts

where ethical dilemmas arise while there

are many principles of Christian ethics

some of the primary principles are love

and charity or agape and the inherent

Dignity of all individuals Agape

emphasizes unconditional love and

selfless concern for others calling for

compassion and empathy in all

interactions this guides healthc care

providers to prioritize patient

well-being Above All Else additionally

Christian ethics posits that every human

being is created in the image of God and

therefore possesses intrinsic worth and

dignity this belief underlines the

ethical obligation to respect and uphold

the rights of all individual idual

regardless of their

circumstances in practice this principle

compels Healthcare professionals to

advocate for marginalized or vulnerable

populations ensuring Equitable access to

care and

resources Christian ethics leads to

holistic care or treating the whole

person addressing not only physical

health but also emotional spiritual and

social needs it also emphasizes patient

dignity respecting and honoring patient

choices and ensuring their voices are

heard in the decision-making process

there's also an emphasis on community

service especially to those in

need while Christian ethics offers

valuable guidance it also faces

critiques some argue that it can be too

prescriptive or rigid potentially

leading to conflicts with secular

ethical Frameworks in diverse Healthcare

settings additionally interpretations of

Christian teachings can vary widely

leading to differing views on ethical

issues among practitioners this

diversity can complicate consensus

building and ethical decision- making in

summary Christian ethics emphasizes love

dignity and holistic

care mixed theories represent an

important development in ethical

discourse mixed theories are ethical

Frameworks that draw upon elements from

multiple ethical theories combining

their strengths to address complex moral

dilemmas more effectively by integrating

diverse perspectives mixed theories

offer a richer understanding of ethical

issues particularly in the multifaceted

field of healthcare this integrative

approach allows for flexibility and a

nuanced analysis of ethical challenges

that may not be adequately addressed by

singular

theories examples of mixed theories

include feminist ethics care ethics and

narrative ethics we'll talk more about

feminist ethics on the next

slide care ethics is rooted in the

philosophy of care this approach

emphasizes the importance of

interpersonal relationships and the

moral significance of caring for for

others care ethics challenges the notion

that ethical decisions should solely

rely on abstract principles or rules in

practice care ethics highlights the

importance of empathy compassion and

responsiveness in patient care fostering

deeper connections between healthc care

providers and patients narrative ethics

is a framework that emphasizes the

importance of personal narratives and

stories in understanding ethical

dilemmas it advocates for listening to

patients narratives to gain insight into

their Val values and experiences in

healthcare narrative ethics supports

patient- centered Care by acknowledging

that each patient story is vital in

shaping their treatment decisions and

ethical

considerations the integration of

various e ethical theories through mixed

Theory through mixed approaches allows

for a more comprehensive understanding

of ethical dilemmas in healthcare this

multifaceted perspective acknowledges

that moral issues are rarely black and

white and often require consider ation

of diverse viewpoints and contexts by

utilizing mixed theories Healthcare

professionals can navigate the

complexity of ethical situations more

effectively ensuring that decisions are

informed by a broader array of values

and

principles they offer practical

applications in health care settings

such as holistic decision-making

addressing inequities and patient-

centered

care despite their advantages mixed

theories can be criticized for

potentially lacking Clarity or coherence

due to the blending of different ethical

perspectives this blending can sometimes

lead to ambiguity in decisionmaking

making it difficult to establish a clear

ethical guideline additionally critics

argue that the application of mixed

theories may be more complex and timec

consuming as practitioners must consider

multiple viewpoints and contexts when

making

decisions in summary mixed theories

provide an integrative and nuanced

approach to ethical decision-making in

healthcare by combining insights from

various ethical Frameworks healthc Care

Professionals can navigate complex moral

dilemmas with a deeper understanding of

the diverse factors at play ultimately

leading to more compassionate and

Equitable patient

care in this slide we'll look more

closely at feminist ethics this approach

provides a vital perspective on ethical

decision-making in healthcare

particularly regarding inclusivity and

social justice

feminist ethics seeks to highlight and

address the moral experience and needs

of women and marginalized groups it

challenges traditional ethical theories

that often Overlook these perspectives

and emphasizes the importance of

relationships and context in ethical

decision-making this approach is rooted

in the belief that ethics cannot be

fully understood without considering the

social dynamics and power structures

that shape our

experiences there are several core

principles principles of feminist ethics

first the importance of care in

relationships feminist ethics places

significant value on interpersonal

relationships and the moral significance

of care it argues that ethical behavior

is deeply rooted in our connections with

others and that care should be a central

component of ethical

discussions second the critique of

traditional ethics feminist ethics

critiques traditional ethical Frameworks

for their often abstract and impersonal

nature it argues that these theories can

neglect the lived experiences of

individuals particularly those from

marginalized groups feminist ethics

ethicists advocate for an Ethics that is

grounded in real life contexts and the

complexities of Human Relationships this

critique encourages a re-evaluation of

how ethical principles are applied in

practice pushing for a more inclusive

approach that considers diverse voices

and

experiences third social justice and

Equity a foundational aspect of feminist

ethics is its commitment to social

justice and Equity this principle

emphasizes the need to address systemic

inequalities and injustices that affect

individuals access to health care and

their treatment within the

system feminist ethics emphasizes

patient- centered care or the importance

of understanding patients unique

backgrounds experiences and needs by

prioritizing patient narratives and

experiences Healthcare Providers can

offer more tailored and effective care

second feminist ethics addresses

inequality by encouraging Healthcare

professionals to actively identify and

combat inequalities with the healthcare

system this means advocating for

marginalized populations and striving to

create an environment that promotes

equity in Access and

treatment some argue that feminist

ethics focus on relationships May

Overlook the importance of universal

principles potentially leading to

subjective decision-making additionally

there is a concern that feminist ethics

might prioritize the experience of

certain groups at the expense of others

leading to an imbalance in ethical

considerations in summary this Theory

provides a crucial framework for

understanding and addressing ethical

dilemmas in healthcare by emphasizing

care relationships and social justice

this approach encourages healthc Care

Professionals to cultivate compassionate

inclusive and Equitable practices

integrating feminist ethics into

Healthcare decision-making ultimately

leads to more responsive and just care

for all patients

let's now do a quick comparative

analysis of the ethical theories we've

discussed we looked at a lot so let's

highlight how the some of them intersect

and differ this will help us understand

the unique strengths and weaknesses of

various ethical theories let's look at a

few key

comparisons first a focus on outcomes

versus intentions if you remember from

the previous slides consequentialism

prioritizes the outcomes of actions the

moral value of an action is determined

by its consequen es aiming to maximize

overall good in contrast

non-consequentialism focuses on

intentions and the adherence to rules

the moral value of an action is

determined by whether it aligns with the

duty or principle regardless of the

outcomes second we can consider

individual rights versus the collective

good so we talked about principlism

which emphasizes balancing individual

rights like autonomy with the collective

good such as Justice in healthcare this

principle guides professionals to

respect individual patient decisions

while considering the broader

implications for Community Health in

contrast

utilitarianism often emphasizes the

collective good over individual rights a

utilitarian might justify a policy that

benefits the majority even if it

compromises the rights or interests of a

minority group leading to ethical

dilemmas in resource

allocation a third comparison we can

make is thinking about rigid principles

versus flexible approaches deontology is

characterized by its adherence to rigid

moral rules or principles in contrast

mixed theories advocate for flexibility

they incorporate insights from various

ethical perspectives and this

flexibility allows Healthcare

professionals to adapt their approach

based on specific contexts promoting

more nuanced decision-making that can

consider competing values and

situations there are other differences

we can look at but understanding these

differences among ethical theories is

really important for ethical decision-

making by recognizing the strengths and

limitations of each approach Healthcare

professionals can better navigate

complex ethical dilemmas this

comparative analysis also encourages a

holistic view of ethics prompting

practitioners to consider multiple

perspectives and principles in their

decision-making processes ultimately

leading to more ethical and

Compassionate Care we'll talk more about

this in

class in conclusion we considered an

overview of major ethical theories we

explored several major ethical theories

and each of these theories offers unique

insights and approaches to ethical

decision-making this contributes to a

richer understanding of healthcare

ethics this diversity of P perspectives

is crucial in addressing the

multifaceted nature of ethical dilemmas

that arise in the clinical

setting we also talked about how ethical

theories are not just academic Concepts

but they have real world

real world applications by applying

these theories Healthcare professionals

can navigate complex situations promote

Equitable care and advocate for patients

rights finally I urge you to actively

engage with ethical challenges

throughout this course don't shy away

from really interacting in difficult

conversations or complex situations and

really grappling with what you believe

there may be things we discuss that will

really challenge how you've always

looked at something this is hard and

this is good I want to support you when

this happens thank you for your

attention to this presentation I really

can't wait to work with you this

semester to apply what you've learned

today to various ethical situations

centered around Medical Technology

throughout the rest of the

semester finally here's a list of the

resources used for today's presentation