Ethics & Professionalism Perspectives For New Respiratory Care Students

Ethics Philosophy –“Philo” love of –“Sophia”wisdom

Ethics is a branch of the “love of wisdom” Wisdom: a systematic, thoughtful, reasoned, and sustained look at: –“beauty” aesthetics –“existence” ontology –“knowing”epistemology –“right thing to do”ethics

The “right thing to do” Mainly Western thinkers, like –John Mills utilitarianism –Immanuel Kant Non-utilitarian, absolute, universal principles

Health Care or Medical Ethics Relatively new in the broader field of Philosophy Is more applied, less theoretical Began with questions regarding –Death (breathing? Heart? Brain activity?) –Technological advances, in neonatology, “open heart surgery,” the “ICU”

Strategies A competent patient (beware of definition) –“capacitated” vs “incapacitated” Informed consent –Remember--it is a process, not a signed paper Advance directives –Living will –Durable power of attorney for health Best judgment cases

Best judgment decision making –Children: not competent now, but will become competent –Mentally retarded: not competent now, and will never be competent

Ethics and Professionalism How should we act? –Individually? –Professionally? Where do we look? –The Law? –Code of Ethics –Protocol manuals, lawyer’s judgment?

Why the Dilemma? Because: –We are individuals –We enter Respiratory Care with our own experiences, needs, values, expectations, and aspirations

Professional The challenge of becoming a “respiratory care professional” is: –Accepting and participating in a common (collective) behaviors –A common set of values and actions –These establish group identity that is recognized by others

Professional=“profess” To affirm, avow What makes a professional? –On a scale of 1-10, with 10 being “most professional,” rank: Postal worker, teacher, car mechanic, computer sales person, physician, lawyer Mastery of set of knowledge and skills that sets one apart from others

With specialized knowledge and skills, society grants privileges and autonomy (self-govern) to individual and to the group You are expected to self-regulate and police yourselves Another word for this is accountability

Other Expectations Established standards of practice Ensure maintenance of knowledge and skills through continuing education Research and publish –License –Codes of ethics –Codes of behavior

Professional Ethics Common/collective behavior about the “right thing to do” No room for individual (personal) values Commitment is to the group-the collective behavior and common response to ethical situations Commitment to each other first

Collective Failure of one individual to meet expectations of “professionalism” results in the condemnation of the entire profession Now, on to the case of the Jehovah’s Witness and blood transfusion...