Health Law and Ethics - Essay Example

"Health Law and Ethics" is a great example of a paper on medical ethics. Ethical decisions are meant to be a reflection of what people are on the inside rather than what the outside portrays. These choices are based on principled decisions and not on self-interest or selfish gains. Making such decisions requires that one harbors universal values that have to be held across time, religion, culture, and ethnicity. The need to create a model of treating every decision as part of the core principles of life is critical. The process of decision making will always affect the professional outcome of any workplace and the individuals involved need to provide the ground rules and not just the factors that will be considered in the long run (Icheku 34). As a professional, coming up with these rules is imperative and requires careful considerations. First and foremost, as a professional, it is paramount to eliminate any unethical options by perceiving the unethical repercussions of the decisions made at any particular time. This will then be followed by a description of what is complex, ambiguous, and incomplete in a bid to obtain that which is necessary and important in that particular situation. Of all the alternatives provided, the best choice will be that which is ethical and that which tries to answer the ‘right vs. right’ question (Icheku 37).

The fact however remains that meeting these requirements may not be quite an easy task and may require extra energy to maintain professionalism. Thus, having the ability to take a step back and reason comes in handy in such situations. Practicing problem-solving skills will help to eliminate many unethical alternatives that may have cropped up (Icheku 40).

Qn 2: Many in the healthcare industry will agree with the fact that honesty, high ethical standards and moral principles maintained during the work period are an important definition of moral integrity within the workforce. The challenges faced by nurses at all times are numerous and this combined with the demanding work environment may affect performance. Maintaining professionalism is becoming quite a façade with many unable to develop personal moral and ethical codes. Integrity in the nursing environment and profession requires one to be trustworthy, respectful, responsible, caring, and fair in all their dealings (Hader 32). Ethical outlooks will always assist in doing that which is right all the time. This is as one fights to do what is right rather than what interests them at that particular instance. In a situation that requires more than the moral input of the professional in question, the right thing that needs to be done at that moment needs to carry the day. Doing that which is out of the ordinary is considered to be professional and ethical if only it abides by the code of ethics.

            Leaders too need to play a role in ensuring that each of the workers meets their demand within the required environment. Many have placed measures of meeting the integrity aspect of their workplace by putting in place mechanisms such as the code of ethics, ethics office, ethics training, and committees to oversee ethical adherence. Others have put in implicit measures such as rewards, promotion, performance evaluation methods, and ethical leadership as ways of ensuring that employees maintain the required professional outlook (Hader 32-3). These are ways of enhancing one’s morality and responsibility for better integrity and accountability within their profession.

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