Writer Choice
43495Supporting Lectures:
Review the following lecture:
Ethical Theories and Principles
The project assignment provides a forum for analyzing and evaluating relevant topics of this week on the basis of the course competencies covered.
Introduction:
In each week, you will have the opportunity to explore an ethical theory—consequential ethics, utilitarian ethics, deontological ethics, and nonconsequential ethics—in the context of a case scenario from your textbook. This week, the focus will be on consequential ethics. Remember, from your lectures this week, that consequential ethics is a value-based theory that suggests the ends justify the means—the decision to act in a certain manner must be driven by a desired outcome to maximize good.
Tasks:
Review the following case:
Matt was assigned to survey the Community Medical Center (CMC) in Minnesota with a team of three surveyors and one observer. He narrated to me his experience of surveying the children’s dental clinic. Following his tour of CMC’s dental clinic, Matt reviewed the dental program, which served the city’s underserved children, with the clinic’s staff. He also reviewed the care rendered to several patients on the basis of common and complex diagnoses, as well as the clinic’s performance improvement activities. During the survey Dr. Seiden, the clinic director, asked, “Are surveyors trained about the importance of dental care in disease prevention? As you know, dentistry is often a stepchild when it comes to allocation of scarce resources. Departments like surgery and radiology often receive the lion’s share of funds.” Matt responded by describing a film sponsored by the American Dental Association that was shown when he was in training to become a surveyor. The film presented a man whose dental care had been sorely neglected throughout his life and had not been addressed prior to replacement of a heart valve. The patient developed a systemic infection following surgery, which led to deterioration of the heart valve and the patient’s death. The film described the lessons learned and opportunities for performance improvement that included the need of a dental evaluation by a dentist prior to the valve replacement. Dr. Seiden was pleased to learn that the importance of dentistry is included in surveyor training.
Following Matt’s survey of the dental clinic, the staff relayed to him their concern that the clinic was going to be closed for lack of funds. Cheryl, the clinic manager, explained, “I sometimes feel the importance of the dental clinic to the underserved population is not well-understood.” A bit emotional, Cheryl said, “Matt, have you surveyed other dental clinics?” Matt replied, “Yes, several well-funded clinics that come to mind were in Philadelphia and New York.” Cheryl then asked, “Matt, do you have any ideas as to how we can save our clinic from closing?” Matt replied, “I have some time before lunch and I can share a few ideas with you.” Cheryl replied, “The staff will be eager to listen.” The staff proceeded to place several chairs in a semicircle and brainstormed with Matt a variety of ideas for saving the clinic. The staff discussed several fund-raising activities including a car wash by children to bring awareness to Any Town’s dental clinic.” Matt looked at his watch and said, “I need to get back to my survey team, but I want to leave you with one other thought to ponder that could be applicable to any department in the hospital. I was surveying a veteran’s hospital physical therapy department and noticed on their bulletin board the staff’s dream plan for renovation of their department. I asked the physical therapy staff about the plan. They related how their vision of a new physical therapy department had been sketched out and placed on their bulletin board. Several weeks later, a veteran who had been sitting in the waiting area became curious about their dream. After studying the board during his visits for therapy, he walked to the reception desk on his last visit and asked about their vision for physical therapy. They explained it was a $200,000 dream. Gary looked at the staff at the reception desk and said, ‘It is no longer a dream. I don’t have much, but what I do have is enough to make your dream come true.’ And, so he did.” Matt continued, “You see, if people know your dreams, something as small as a bulletin board can make all the difference.” Dr. Seiden smiled and said, “I see where this is going, community awareness as to the need to fund the clinic. It’s really not merely about a car wash, it’s about a concept of how the hospital can save not only the dental clinic but other programs earmarked for closing.” Matt smiled, as the staff regained hope. Dr. Seiden, seeing that Matt had little time for lunch, stood up, extended his hand and said, “Matt, you gave us hope when we believed there was none. Thank you so much. I will be sure to discuss this with administration.”
Matt presented his observations the following morning to the organization’s leadership, which included his roundtable discussion with the staff. He was, however, cut short in his presentation by the surveyor team leader, Brad, who later reported to Victor, Matt’s manager, that Matt should not be discussing how to save a dental clinic by opening a car wash. Matt received a reprimand from Victor and was removed at the end of the day four of a five-day survey without explanation.
In a 2- to 3-page document, complete the following tasks:
Summarize consequentialist ethical theory and how this theory applies to the given case scenario.
Discuss the pros and cons of Matt’s approach of addressing the staff’s concerns for saving the children’s dental clinic.
Argue whether Matt’s reprimand was worth the risk if he could have foreseen the resulting reprimand.
To support your work, use your course and text readings and also use the South University Online Library. As in all assignments, cite your sources in your work and provide references for the citations in APA format.
Submission Details
Name your file as SU_MHA6060_W1_Project_LastName_FirstName.
By the due date assigned, submit it to the Submissions Area.
Ethical Theories and Principles
The term “ethics” is derived from Greek and Latin terms for custom or habit, but current usage of the term communicates a manner of action—doing what is right or good over what is wrong or bad. It is important to note here that ethics involves the how and why of what ought to be versus what is. The study of ethics provides us with a framework to make appropriate choices on the basis of some universal guidelines set by community values and laws. There are a number of different ethical theories that help to guide the development of such community values and laws that, in turn, support ethical decision making. In this course, you will explore the following ethical theories in depth:
• Consequential Ethics: A value-based theory that suggests the ends justify the means—the decision to act in a certain manner must be driven by a desired outcome to maximize good
• Utilitarian Ethics: A result-based theory that says the moral worth of an action is determined solely by its ability to maximize happiness or pleasure for all
• Deontological Ethics: A duty-based theory that originated from the work of Kant suggests that doing the right thing is important whether it results in maximum good
• Nonconsequential Ethics: An intent-based theory that denies that the consequences of behavior are the only criteria to determine moral action; right and wrong stem from the intent of the action
• Right and Wrong
• Rightness and wrongness of actions are determined by the consequences generated.
• Goodness
• Good breeds good.
• Theorists
• Milton Friedman and Niccolo Machiavelli
• ight and Wrong
• Rightness and wrongness of actions are determined by a decrease in pain and increase in pleasure. (Consequential)
• Goodness
• Maximize the greatest good; ends justify the means.
• Theorists
• Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mills
Right and Wrong
Rightness and wrongness of actions are determined by the role of respect and duty to others. (Nonconsequential)
Goodness
Identify and follow one’s duty, even if it does not maximize good.
Theorists
W. D. Ross and Martin Buber
Right and Wrong
Rightness and wrongness of actions is determined by the intent of the action itself, not the consequences.
Goodness
Intention-based theory, obligation is critical.
Theorists
Rene Descartes and Immanuel Kant
Ultimately, while there are a number of theories to help influence ethical conduct, there are some agreed-upon principles in healthcare that drive ethical behavior for healthcare professionals. Following are the principles:
• Autonomy: Recognizing the right of individuals to make their own decisions without interference from another
• Beneficence: Recognizing the principle of showing kindness and compassion to others and doing good
• Nonmaleficence: Recognizing the importance to avoid causing harm and to avoid options that provide no short- or long-term benefits
Developing a working knowledge of ethical theories and principles helps to provide a moral compass. This moral compass will guide the decisions you make throughout your life as individuals and as healthcare administrators, particularly as you align your organization to meet a growing body of governing healthcare laws.
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