• What challenges are present in the scenario, and what are some
steps that can be taken to address them?
Within scenario #1 we have a situation where it appears that data that has been collected
and reviewed is being altered to try to alter results and the outcome of research that is
being done. d This challenge is one of intentional deception that appears to be done in order
to gain an outcome that one is looking for. d In addition to the issue of an intentional
deception, it would appear that I would be in a position where I would be challenged by a
conflict of interest to report this challenge. d In this situation I would be conflicted about
reporting this situation, as it might open me up to retaliation if my leader was the one
altering data. d Necessary funding to pay for my position might also be impacted if I reported
and because of this report the funding to receive a grant was jeopardized (Weiss, 2022).
In this situation there are several possible ways to address this, but most of them are
difficult and challenging. d The first would be to take this information to the leader of the
research study and report the misinformation that is being input. d As stated earlier though
this might be challenging and could put me in conflict with my superior. d There is a
possibility that they were unaware the data was being altered but maybe not. d Additionally,
most research studies and healthcare systems should have a corporate compliance officer
(often even someone dedicated specifically toward research) and/or hotline with which I
could anonymously report my concern. d This would allow for someone independent of the
research to assess what is happening and if it is in compliance with company policies and/or
research requirements.
• What is the relationship between ethics and policy? Do they
always match up with one another?
d
Ethics is a framework of beliefs and values that are used to help understand and frame one's
understanding of the work and assist in decision making. d It is fundamental and serves as
framework from which laws and policies can be developed and implemented to help
practically apply ethical principles (Bickenbach, 2012). d There are three types of ethics
known as descriptive (what is right and wrong?), theoretical (what are the justifications of
right and good?) and normative (
Ethics can at times be viewed as the development of a theoretical framework from which to
assess and judge particular situations. d When conducting an ethics analysis we can view it
through three lens: d descriptive, theoretical and normative (how can we act in accord with
what is right and good) (Petrini, 2010).
Policies are rules and human structures developed to help govern how we interact within
community and organizations. d Different organizations, bodies and others develop policies to
help guide both general and specific situations (Bickenbach, 2012). d Within healthcare
organizations, healthcare policies are developed to help guide staff around how to handle
particular situations and decisions in a way that reflects regulatory requirements and
organizational values and ethics. d Policies always reflect a particular framework and belief
system as to how things are handled and valued. d Thus to reflect on the question of whether
or not ethics and policy match up with one another, I think is not a straightforward answer. d
There are different types of ethics, and thus policies that are developed reflect the priorities
and the practical ethics expressed by the policy. d The goals for organizations and individuals
when they develop policies is whether or not these policies reflect their expressed ethics
and values. d Therefore ethical discernment and implementation have a significant role and
place to play in policy development (Petrini, 2010).
• If individual ethics do not align with organizational policy, what
might be the end result?
If individual ethics do not align with organizational policy, typically a person's sense of
satisfaction in the work and job they do can be threatened and diminished. According to a
2020 study conducted by Martin Woods of nurses around the world, a major source of
moral distress for nurses occurs when their personal ethics are not being supported by
organizational policies and/or the way that these policies are being operationalized. d This
can often be expressed and viewed in terms of problems with bosses, poor care practices,
etc. d The challenge is that the ethical climate within our workplaces has become more
challenging as often the nurse's ethics of caring collides with the operational need at times
to gain greater efficiencies in the workforce and organizational policies at times that make it
harder to carry out care styles and approaches that align most deeply with the ethics of
individual nurses (Woods, 2020). d d d Thus the end result of this is dissatisfaction, burnout, and
often greater turnover in the workforce.
References
Bickenbach, J. E. (2012). Introduction, background, and history. In Ethics, law and policy (pp.
1-66). SAGE Publications, Inc., https://dx.doi.org/10.4135/9781452218618.n1
Petrini C. (2010). Ethics-based public health policy?. American journal of public
health, 100(2), 197–198. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2009.181511
Weiss, M. J. . M. J. (2022). Medical ethics. Magill’s Medical Guide (Online Edition).
Woods, M. (2020). Moral distress revisited: the viewpoints and responses of nurses.
International Nursing Review, 67(1), 68–75. https://doi-
org.ezproxy.snhu.edu/10.1111/inr.12545
