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Law, Liability, & Ethics For Medical Office Professionals

Sixth Edition

Chapter 8

Introduction to Ethics

Objectives

Distinguish between law, morals, ethics, and etiquette

Appraise the impact of economics in the making of ethical decisions

Analyze conflict between personal and professional ethics

Discuss the importance of studying ethics

Develop a thought process for making ethical decisions

Ethical Dilemmas

Found in every aspect of health care delivery

Study of ethics is related to, yet distinguished from, the study of law

Ethics

Study of ethics is grounded theoretically in philosophy, defined as pursuit of wisdom

“Ethics” is derived from Greek term ethos, meaning custom, usage, or character

Bioethics

Bioethics deals with ethical implications of biological research and applications especially in medicine (medical ethics)

Legal and Ethical Issues

Ethical dilemmas in medicine occur when:

The enforcement of law does not appear to bring about justice

There is no obvious right or wrong behavior

Right behavior appears to have the wrong effect

Personal sacrifice is the consequence of following ideals

Morals

Word “moral” is sometimes used as a word of praise

Morals are recognized as principles of “right” conduct

Right moral conduct is based on traditional religious teachings found in Judeo-Christian, Buddhist, Islamic, and other traditions

Etiquette

Etiquette is the socially accepted procedure for interacting in society and changes with the times and the community

Etiquette does not require moral understanding or ethical reasoning

Etiquette is based on societal norms, morals, customs, and beliefs

Code of Medical Etiquette

Protocol exists

Politeness

Proper dress

Courtesy

Telephone etiquette

Ethical Environment of Health Care

Our economic system is based on supply and demand

To regulate the health care system, when demand exceeds supply, the cost determines who could afford access to what services

President’s 1983 Commission Report

Society has a moral obligation to ensure equitable medical care

Equitable health care implies that medical care is a right

Defining Health

World Health Organization (WHO) defines health as “a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity”

Health Care and Medical Care

Preventing illness with inoculations against communicable disease is important to the whole of society as well as the individual

In matters of prevention of illness by controlling diet, smoking, exercise, driving habits, stress, and the like, there is too much subjective personal preference

Private Choice versus Common Good

Increasing the number and ensuring coverage to a larger number of people can require certain restrictions, including limiting a patient’s choice of medical providers

Usually a short time to choose a primary care physician

Few opportunities to change a primary care physician

Importance of Studying Ethics

Skilled health care practitioners know the patients and understand the risks involved in certain procedures

It is important that medical providers develop their own understanding of ethics