Ethical Dilemma

Dr Athar Khan

Ethics

A code of moral standards of conduct for what is

“good” and “right” as opposed to what is “bad”

or “wrong”.

A set of moral principles

Values

Broad beliefs about what is appropriate

behavior

What are the behaviors that will almost always be viewed as

ethical ?

What are the behaviors that will almost always be viewed as

unethical ?

Libeling or Slandering a Client

Intimacy with Clients

Sharing confidences without compelling professional reasons

Assaulting, causing physical injuries, or placing clients in danger

Discriminatory Practices

Withdrawing services suddenly (abandoning a client)

Promising “Cures” for Problems

Ethical Dilemma is a Conflict between ...

An argument presenting two or more equally

conclusive alternatives against an opponent

Two unsatisfactory alternatives

One’s values/principles and one’s perceived

role

One’s personal and professional values

Two values/ethical principles

Example

Deciding whether to lie about harboring a

criminal in your

home who committed a double homicide.

ETHICAL DILEMMA ?

ExampleA very sick gentleman was to undergo a necessary but very

high risk procedure. I was delegated the task of obtaining

consent. However, it became clear to me that the patient had

no comprehension of the situation or the risk of the

procedure. The

patient would not be autonomous in the decision to undergo

surgery.

ETHICAL DILEMMA ?

Resolving an Ethical Dilemma 1. Identify the problem

2. Ethical Dilemma?

Resolving an Ethical Dilemma

3. Looking at all

the relevant facts

and developing

valid arguments

for various

courses of action


4. Consideration of

practice wisdom,

personal beliefs

and values, and

how these might

influence the final

decision,


5. Developing options, exploring compromises, evaluating alternatives in an attempt to find a course of action with the least negative effects


6. Choosing a

position that you

can defend.

Documents

Ethical Dilemma