Do you really believe ethical theories are useful in assisting health care professionals and organizations and systems in doing the "right"?
I believe there is isn't a right or wrong answer for when it comes to ethical theory...? Help?
I believe that ethical theories are useful. However, there sometimes isn't an absolutely wrong or right answer.
What comes to mind to me is the role of the Triage Nurse or Doctor in major disasters...the quickly evaluate victims and decide who gets treatment, and who does not. This probably is the greatest ethical personal delimina of those involved. I have an acquaintance who had this job for a couple of days during Hurricane Katrina...she said she never wanted to do that as a physician, and hoped to never again.
Im confused about a Triage Nurse can you be more specific?
A triage nurse is one who first assesses patients in an emergency. Check here for more information.
http://www.google.com/#q=Triage+Nurse
Triage: 1.
(in medical use) the assignment of degrees of urgency to wounds or illnesses to decide the order of treatment of a large number of patients or casualties, or deciding which casualties to treat to maximize the number of lives saved.
what can professional do in a group of coming up and coming health care professionals either in community health management or hospital care management , to encourage ethical conduct in the policies and services of health care?
..I think they are useful in how to treat patients lives from encouraging more activities?
Ethical theories can be incredibly useful in assisting health care professionals and organizations/systems in making decisions and actions that are considered morally right. While it is true that ethics can be complex and subjective, ethical theories provide frameworks and principles that guide individuals and institutions in determining what is morally acceptable in various situations.
To understand the role of ethical theories in health care, it is important to grasp the concept of normative ethics. Normative ethics seeks to establish a standard or criteria for determining what actions or decisions are morally right or wrong. Ethical theories, such as utilitarianism, deontology, and virtue ethics, are different frameworks within normative ethics that lay out principles and guidelines for ethical decision-making.
For example, utilitarianism holds that the morally right action is the one that maximizes overall happiness or well-being for the greatest number of people. In the context of health care, this theory can help professionals weigh the potential benefits and harms of a treatment option for their patients.
Deontology, on the other hand, focuses on moral duties and obligations. It asserts that some actions are inherently right or wrong, regardless of their consequences. A health care professional using a deontological approach might prioritize respecting patients' autonomy and ensuring informed consent.
Virtue ethics emphasizes developing virtuous character traits and embodying moral values. In health care, this theory may encourage professionals to cultivate qualities like compassion, empathy, and integrity, which can assist in making morally sound decisions and providing compassionate care.
While ethical theories provide frameworks and principles, they do not always offer definitive answers to complex ethical dilemmas. Actual decisions may depend on individual circumstances, professional guidelines, legal requirements, and other contextual factors. Moreover, ethical theories can sometimes conflict with each other, leading to ethical dilemmas that require careful consideration and judgment.
In conclusion, ethical theories offer valuable tools that help health care professionals and organizations navigate the complexities of moral decision-making. While there may not always be a clear-cut right or wrong answer, ethical theories provide guidance and assist in promoting ethical behavior and patient-centered care.