You are a newly hired health care manager. Your director emphasizes the importance of being ethical in all aspects of your new position as it will earn you trust and respect among your team.
Discuss the following questions with your class:
What is the role of a health care manager when facing an ethical decision?
How would you handle an ethical conflict? Provide an example.
Full Answer Section
- The values of the organization: Health care managers should consider the values of their organization when making ethical decisions. These values may be explicitly stated in the organization's mission statement or code of ethics, or they may be implicit in the organization's culture.
- The perspectives of the stakeholders: Health care managers should consider the perspectives of all stakeholders involved in the ethical decision, including patients, families, staff, and the community.
How to Handle an Ethical Conflict
When faced with an ethical conflict, health care managers should follow these steps:
- Identify the ethical conflict: The first step is to identify the ethical principles that are in conflict. For example, a health care manager may be faced with a conflict between the principle of beneficence and the principle of autonomy when a patient refuses to undergo a life-saving medical procedure.
- Gather information: Once the ethical conflict has been identified, the health care manager should gather information about the situation. This may involve talking to the patients, families, and staff involved, as well as reviewing medical records and other documentation.
- Consider the options: Once the health care manager has gathered information, they should consider the different options available to them. Each option should be evaluated in terms of the ethical principles, relevant laws and regulations, organizational values, and stakeholder perspectives.
- Make a decision: Once the health care manager has considered all of the options, they should make a decision. The decision should be based on the health care manager's judgment and the best interests of all stakeholders involved.
- Implement the decision: Once the decision has been made, the health care manager should communicate the decision to all stakeholders involved and implement the decision in a way that is ethical and respectful.
Example of an Ethical Conflict
A health care manager is faced with the following ethical conflict: A patient is admitted to the hospital with a life-threatening illness. The patient's family is requesting that the patient be placed on life support, but the patient has previously expressed a desire not to be placed on life support.
The health care manager must consider the following factors:
- The ethical principles of the healthcare profession: The principle of autonomy states that patients have the right to refuse medical treatment. However, the principle of beneficence states that healthcare professionals have a duty to do good. In this case, the patient's family believes that it is in the patient's best interest to be placed on life support.
- The relevant laws and regulations: The health care manager must comply with all applicable laws and regulations related to patient informed consent and end-of-life care.
- The values of the organization: The health care manager should consider the values of their organization when making this decision. Some organizations may place a higher value on patient autonomy, while others may place a higher value on beneficence.
- The perspectives of the stakeholders: The health care manager should consider the perspectives of all stakeholders involved in the ethical decision, including the patient, the patient's family, and the healthcare staff.
The health care manager may decide to consult with an ethics committee or other experts to help them make a decision. The decision may also be influenced by the patient's medical prognosis and the patient's quality of life.
Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to place the patient on life support is a difficult one. However, by following the steps outlined above, the health care manager can make a decision that is ethical and respectful of all stakeholders involved.
Sample Answer
The Role of a Health Care Manager When Facing an Ethical Decision
Health care managers play a vital role in ensuring that their organizations operate ethically. They are responsible for making decisions that affect the quality and safety of patient care, the well-being of their staff, and the financial viability of their organizations. When faced with an ethical decision, health care managers must consider the following factors:
- The ethical principles of the healthcare profession: These principles include beneficence (doing good), nonmaleficence (avoiding harm), autonomy (respecting patient self-determination), and justice (fairness in the allocation of resources).
- The relevant laws and regulations: Health care managers must comply with all applicable laws and regulations, including those related to patient privacy, informed consent, and clinical practice standards.