Dr Athar Khan

Ethics
A code of moral standards of conduct for what is

good and right as opposed to what is bad

or wrong.
A set of moral principles

Values
Broad beliefs about what is appropriate behavior

What are the

behaviors

that will

almost always be viewed as

ethical ?

What are the

behaviors

that will

almost always be viewed as

unethical ?

Libeling or Slandering a Client

Intimacy with Clients

Sharing confidences without

compelling professional reasons

Assaulting, causing physical injuries, or

placing clients in danger

Discriminatory Practices

Withdrawing services suddenly

(abandoning a client)

Promising Cures for Problems

Ethical Dilemma is a Conflict

between ...

An argument presenting two or more equally

conclusive alternatives against an opponent

Two unsatisfactory alternatives
Ones values/principles and ones perceived

role
Ones personal and professional values
Two values/ethical principles

Example
Deciding whether to lie about harboring a
criminal in your
home who committed a double homicide.
ETHICAL DILEMMA ?

Example
A very sick gentleman was to undergo a necessary but very
high risk procedure. I was delegated the task of obtaining
consent. However, it became clear to me that the patient had
no comprehension of the situation or the risk of the
procedure. The
patient would not be autonomous in the decision to undergo
surgery.
ETHICAL DILEMMA ?

Resolving an Ethical Dilemma

1. Identify the problem

2. Ethical Dilemma?

Resolving an Ethical Dilemma

3. Looking at all the
relevant

facts

and

developing

valid

arguments

for

various

courses of action

Resolving an Ethical Dilemma

4. Consideration of
practice

wisdom,

personal

beliefs

and

values,

and

how these might

influence the final
decision,

Resolving an Ethical Dilemma

5.
Developing
options, exploring
compromises,
evaluating
alternatives in an
attempt to find a
course of action
with the least
negative effects

Resolving an Ethical Dilemma

6. Choosing a
position that you
can defend.