Ethical Foundations

Ethics The study of morality Ethics vs morals

Ethics and Health Education Ethical behavior is conscious behavior Ethical behavior is acting with integrity. Moral positions require thought and are NOT primarily dependent on feelings.

Consequentialism (teleologial) Evaluates the moral status of an act by looking at the consequences The END (consequences) does justify the Means (the act).

AKA: deontological or nonconsequentialism Formalism AKA: deontological or nonconsequentialism Determine morality by whether or not an act is right or wrong in itself The END (consequences) does not justify the Means (the act)

Basic Principles for Common Moral Ground

#1: Value of Life Principle “Human beings should revere life and accept death.” (Cottrell et al, p. 147) No life should be ended without very strong justification.

#2: Goodness (rightness) Principle Good and right are at the core of every ethical decision. Two categories: Beneficence or benevolence: Promotes the welfare of others Nonmaleficence: Do not cause needless harm or injury to others Commission = harm from action Omission = harm from inaction

#3: Justice/Fairness Principle We can expect to be treated justly and fairly in our dealings with other people and institutions.

#4: Truth Telling (honesty) Principle Communicating truth is essential to morality.

#5: Individual Freedom Principle AKA: Equity or Autonomy Having and respecting the origins of individuals to deliberate, choose, and act within the framework of the other basic principles.

The “critical imperative” (Mellert, 1995) Would you want your course of action to be a model for others? If others were faced with the same decision, is this how you would want them to act?

Making Ethical Decisions (Pearson Ed, 2012)

Consideration for Health Educators Confidentiality Guided by HIPAA Informed Consent Negligence http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=health+insurance+privacy+act&FORM=BIFD#focal=fcabdef0f2aca77e9ef49add016d4b4b&furl=http%3A%2F %2Fwww.blackenterprise.com%2Ffiles%2F2009%2F10%2Fshutterstock_22001284.jpgce

Code of Ethics “…document that maps the dimensions of the profession’s collective social responsibility and acknowledges the obligations individual practitioners share in meeting the profession’s responsibilities.” (Cottrell et al., p. 161)

Code of Ethics for the Health Education Profession Article I: Responsibility to the Public Article II: Responsibility to the Profession Article III: Responsibility to Employers Article IV: Responsibility to the Delivery of Health Education Article V: Responsibility to Research and Evaluation Article VI: Responsibility to Professional Preparation