ETHICS FACILITATION
Sometimes, when trying to decide upon a course of action to address a health care need, care providers have to decide upon one of many possible options that are available to them. These options may result in very different outcomes for clients and inadvertently create an ethical dilemma for those who are providing care, those who are receiving care, or for other members in the circle of care. An ethical dilemma occurs when competing values and duties are in conflict with one another, leaving people to struggle with decisions about how to proceed. For example:
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The dilemma may cause feelings of discomfort or uncertainty with regards to how to proceed with care.
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There could be several viable options available that have different outcomes.
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There may be disagreement among people within the circle of care regarding which option to pursue.
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A proposed course of action may conflict with personal or organizational values.
EthiCare Solutions can provide ethics facilitations designed to help clients, family members, and others involved in the circle of care make decisions that are rooted in ethical values and standards by:
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Identifying and analyzing the nature of the uncertainty or conflict.
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Proposing principled ethical resolutions to the dilemma.
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Engaging in post proposal dialogue with those involved in the dilemma.
GOOD TO KNOW
What is An Ethical Dilemma
An ethical dilemma exists when competing values or duties are in conflict with one another in a given situation. This may lead to feelings of discomfort or uncertainty regarding how to proceed with care and can contribute to moral distress for care providers. An ethics facilitation can assist in addressing ethical dilemmas.
What is an Ethics Facilitation
An ethics facilitation is an advisory, non-binding process designed to support lines of communication between parties. Accepted bioethics values and standards are used to provide clarification of- and potential solutions to- ethical dilemmas in order to promote decisions that are ethically sound.
How can an Ethics Facilitation Help
The information gathered through the facilitation process can be used to mediate discussions in the circle of care, to identify the source of the dilemma, and to propose an ethically appropriate course of action.