ETHICAL DECISION MAKING: Evaluating and choosing the right thing to do

3 Ethics HPCSA CPD Points

Pre-Recorded for you to complete at your convenience

As healthcare workers we have embarked on a lifelong journey of staying ethically aware. When one looks at the HPCSA Ethical Guidelines they are clear and to the point, however we work with people in crisis, and we are often confronted with ethical dilemmas that are not so clear. It is at these moments that we require clear and concise ethical decision-making skills.

Ethical decision-making refers to the process of evaluating and choosing among alternatives in a manner consistent with ethical principles. In making ethical decisions, it is necessary to perceive and eliminate unethical options and select the best ethical alternative. Ethical decisions inspire trust and show that we care for others. Research shows that there are a few important considerations in the ethical decision-making process such as; gathering all the facts about the situation, identifying all the concerned parties, looking closely at the who it effects and what the consequences are, asking yourself what would a good person do, thinking of alternative actions and choices and finally deciding on the right action.

In this webinar we will be looking at 3 case studies where the therapist had to make an ethical decision. Each case will be discussed, and the ethical decision-making process will be unpacked to determine which right ethical step needs to be taken.