Ethics, as an area of philosophy deals with the setting of standards in and through which, human actions may be considered as right or wrong, moral or immoral, etc. For the sake of clarity, we must state that when we speak of standards, the most that can plausibly be maintained is that such standards are normative in the sense that ethical theories prescribe how we ought to act. One may say that science and technology work hand in hand to make human life more convenient.
While for the most part this statement is correct, one may also say that the rapid development in science and technology, specifically medical technology also generate far more complex ethical dilemmas than what our predecessors have experienced. Kathleen Sanford recognizes the complexities involved in the ethical dilemmas experienced in the context of healthcare organizations; from the different points of view of the medical practitioner, patient and their families.
Sanford argues out that varying points of views ought to be considered in order for us to arrive at a fuller understanding of the ethical dilemmas which confront us even in management decisions. In so doing, ethical considerations are not mere considerations that top level administrators and managers deal with because it is a requirement in the standing bioethical committees and reviews of the hospital; instead, ethical considerations are discussed because there are standards by which our actions may be considered ethical or unethical.
“A great percentage of the discussions on medical ethics are actually driven by economics” (Sanford, 2008, p. 5). Truth be told, we must recognize that economics play a significant role in the formation of our personal values and there is nothing wrong with the statement per se. It is precisely because we have what John Rawls would call a moderate scarcity that we must take into careful consideration how to allocate our resources properly; how to produce more outputs with lower inputs. For the most part, this is also the reason as to why there is the field economics in the first place.
It is not unfamiliar to see that hospital administrators especially those in the government hospitals find it difficult not to be affected by economic concerns which may conflict with the ethical concerns that we ought to consider. Ethical decision making is inevitable in medical practice. Such being the case, medical practitioners should also be trained adequately to face such tasks. On the management level, leaders such as hospital administrators and the likes should show, in words and in deeds, two important values; competency and integrity.
Sanford’s article puts forth the pressing need for taking ethics and values as integral components of medical practice. As to what ethical decision making is, Kathleen Sanford (2008) wrote the following: Ethics are principles of conduct. Ethical decision making… must include a thorough examination of each question as to whether a given course is right, moral, and good (p. 2) Of course, the next question would be as to how to gauge whether we were able to make a good (or right) decision in the context of ethical dilemmas.
Sanford continues: For a decision to be good, it must be subjected to analysis which considers the present and future welfare of all… stakeholders. It should have been considered and compared with a set of decision making rules… which are objective as possible to assure fairness and clear thinking. (p. 7) Sanford’s statements resonate the idea behind utilitarianism: “everybody to count for one, nobody for more than one” (Guidi, 2008, p. 40) This statement according to Marco E. L.
Guidi is attributed by John Stuart Mill to Jeremy Bentham which resonates the utilitarian idea of the principle of equal consideration of interests. In the final analysis, a fuller understanding of our humanity entails the recognition that human beings have this moral dimension; a dimension which needs to be considered in the many aspects of our lives.
References
Sanford, K. (2008). The Ethical Leader. Nursing Administration Quarterly, 30, 5-10. Guidi, M. E. L. (2008). The Principle of Equal Consideration of Interests from Bentham to Pigou. Revue d’etudes benthamiennes, 4, 40-69.