Medical Ethics and Patient Privacy College and Career Awareness

Medical Ethics In discussing ethics, rarely is there only one answer, rarely is it comfortable, and rarely is it enough. Ethics is the study of right and wrong conduct. Ethics focus on moral situations – a choice of behavior involving human values.

Medical Ethics 3 criteria for judging ethical dilemmas: Obligations – rights, rules, oaths. Ideals – goals, concept of excellence, fairness, loyalty, forgiveness, peace. Consequences – may be beneficial or harmful effects that result from the action and the people involved. Can be physical, emotional, obvious, or hidden.

Basic Principles of Medical Ethics Saving of life and promotion of health above all else. Make every effort to keep the patient as comfortable as possible and preserve life when possible. Respect the patient’s choices when all options have been discussed. Treat all patients equally.

Basic Principles of Medical Ethics Provide for all individuals to the best of your ability. Maintain competent level of skill. Stay informed and up-to-date.

HIPAA HIPAA is a law made to protect patient privacy. Information should ONLY be shared about a patient with those who are involved in the direct care of the individual patient.

HIPAA Video Watch the fun HIPAA video clip. Why is patient privacy important? Discuss this in groups in your class.

What is a Vaccine? Vaccines are shots that keep people from getting serious diseases. The kind of diseases that can make a person very sick. The pinch of a shot is not as bad as the illness.

Technical Writing Assignment Think about medical ethics, what do you believe is right and wrong? Should childhood vaccines be a parent choice?