1. Ethics Corlia van Vuuren January 2011

2. Background Two distinct areas of ethical conduct for health care professionals: Professional behaviour/professional conduct Research

3. Background (cont’d) Reasons for the development of ethical rules/principles Inhumane research conducted, e.g.: World War II (Nuremberg code) Tuskegee study in syphilis Medical advancement

4. Ethical cornerstones Ethical principles Human rights Medical law

5. Ethical principles The right of patients to self- determination or to make their own informed choices, and to live their lives by their own beliefs, values and preferences. Autonomy/ Respect others

6. Ethical principles (cont’d) Deals with actions that are in the best interest of the patients even when the interests of the patient conflict with the health care professionals’ own personal self-interest. Beneficence/ Do good

7. Ethical principles (cont’d) Implies that health care professionals should not harm or act against the best interests of patients, even when the interests of the patients conflict with their own self-interest. Non- maleficence/ Avoid harm to others

8. Ethical principles (cont’d) Health care professionals should treat all individuals and groups in an impartial, fair and just manner. Justice/ Be fair

9. Ethical principles (cont’d) The quality or state of being of sound moral principle; uprightness, honesty, and sincerity. Integrity

10. Ethical principles (cont’d) Freedom from deceit or falseness The quality of being authentic (genuine, real) Truthfulness

11. Ethical principles (cont’d) Sorrow for the sufferings or trouble of another or others, accompanied by an urge to help. Compassion

12. Ethical principles (cont’d) Being tolerant, especially of views, beliefs, practices of others that differ from one's own Freedom from prejudice The ability to endure Tolerance

13. Ethical principles (cont’d) ? Philosophy vs Religion

14. Ethical cornerstones Ethical principles Human rights Medical law

15. Human rights Human dignity Patients’ rights charter Patients’ responsibilities

16. Human rights (cont’d) What is human dignity? Useful or useless? Human dignity

17. Human rights (cont’d) Healthy and safe environment Participation in decision- making Access to health care Knowledge of health insurance/medical aid Choice of health services Treated by a named health care professional Patients’ rights charter

18. Human rights (cont’d) Informed consent Refusal of treatment A second opinion Continuity of care Complaints about health services Confidentiality and privacy Patients’ rights charter (cont’d)

19. Human rights (cont’d) To take care of his or her own health To care for and protect the environment To respect the rights of other patients and health care providers To utilise the health care system properly and not to abuse it Patients’ responsibilities

20. Human rights (cont’d) To know his or her local health services and what they offer To provide health care providers with relevant and accurate information for diagnostic, treatment, rehabilitation or counseling purposes. Patients’ responsibilities (cont’d)

21. Human rights (cont’d) To advise health care providers of his or her wishes with regard to his or her death. To comply with the prescribed treatment or rehabilitation procedures. To enquire about the related costs of treatment and/or rehabilitation and to arrange for payment. Patients’ responsibilities (cont’d)

22. Human rights (cont’d) To take care of the health records in his or her possession. Patients’ responsibilities (cont’d)

23. Ethical cornerstones Ethical principles Human rights Medical law

24. Responsibilities of health care professionals To patientsTo other health care professionalsTo themselvesTo societyTo the professionTo the environment

25. Human rights (cont’d) Act in the patients’ best interests when making referrals and providing/ arranging treatment. Treat patients referred to them in the same manner in which they would treat their own patients. Health care professionals’ responsibilities to other health care professionals

26. Human rights (cont’d) Maintain and improve the standard of their performance by keeping their professional knowledge and skills up to date throughout their working life. Acknowledge the limits of their professional knowledge and competence. Health care professionals’ responsibilities to themselves

27. Human rights (cont’d) Keep accurate and up- to-date patient records. Refrain from engaging in activities that may affect their health and lead to impairment. Health care professionals’ responsibilities to themselves (cont’d)

28. Human rights (cont’d) Ensure that staff members employed by them are trained to respect patients’ rights; in particular the right to confidentiality. Health care professionals’ responsibilities to themselves (cont’d)

29. Conclusion Did we act ethically??

30. Thank you Questions