Ethics In Health And Social Care Essay

No doubt, values and ethics are intertwined. Cherie et al. (2005) stated that values are the social principles, ideals, or standards held by an individual, class, or group that give meaning and direction to life while LeDuc and Kotzer (2009) argued that values are attitudes, beliefs and priorities that bind individuals together and guide behaviour. I would lean toward the latter as I believe the guidance of behaviour is key factor when considering values as this can govern the way we communicate and interact with others and are thus of critical importance in a healthcare context. Conversely, ethics can be defined as the branch of philosophy dealing with standards of conduct and moral judgment. Simplistically, this can be viewed as what is right,

Such awareness of self includes knowing what we value or consider important. Personal values and moral development influence perceptions and decisions. It is reasonable to suggest therefore that a healthcare professional’s values impact their ethics and thus an awareness of an individual’s values is essential. Values such as veracity, fidelity, confidentiality and privacy are integral to the success of relationships built within the healthcare profession however while it appears paradoxical, even these simple values of being honest, being faithful to one’s commitments and promises, maintaining confidentiality and privacy can be challenged when confronted with an ethical dilemma of deciding right from wrong.

Healthcare professionals should develop a harmony between personal values and those of their institution as accepting employment implies committing to the value system of the organisation. Failure to ensure conformity would result in a patchwork of values and ethical standards which is not conducive to consistent customer care. While true, ethical dilemmas are real life issues and there is often no correct way to resolve such circumstances as each situation will differ, depending on context and people