THE CONCEPT OF PROFESSIONAL ETHICS AND BIOETHICS

What is Ethics?

· Ethics comes from the Greek word Ethos meaning characteristic way of
acting and in Latin word Mos, morrs meaning way of acting.
· Ethics is a study of human acts or conduct from a moral perspective as
to whether they are good or they are bad.
· We commonly associated ethics to customs, morals and etiquette and
even used them interchangeably.

• Customs are acts approved by a group or society.

• Etiquette social observance required by good breeding.
(i.e. table manners, dress codes)

Ethics refers to principles that define behavior as right, good and proper. Such
principles do not always dictate a single "moral" course of action, but provide a means
of evaluating and deciding among competing options.

• We translate values into principles so they can guide and motivate ethical
conduct.
• Ethical principles are the rules of conduct that derive from ethical values.
– For example, honesty is a value that governs behavior in the form of
principles such as: tell the truth, don’t deceive, be candid, don’t cheat. In
this way, values give rise to principles in the form of specific "do" and
"don’t.“
• Ethics concerns putting these principles into actions.

Parts of Ethics

· General Ethics – deals with the basic principles which are the
morality of human acts.
· Social Ethics – tackles the basic principles in the life of man as a
member of the society.

Objectives of Ethics
· To make clear to us why one act is better than another.
· To live an orderly social life.
· To appraise and criticize intelligently the moral conduct and ethical
system.
· To seek the true value of life.

From Values to Principles

 • We translate values into principles so they can guide and motivate ethical
conduct.

• Ethical principles are the rules of conduct that derive from ethical values.

– For example, honesty is a value that governs behavior in the form of

principles such as: tell the truth, don’t deceive, be candid, don’t cheat. In
this way, values give rise to principles in the form of specific "do" and
"don’t.“

• Ethics concerns putting these principles into actions.

Why be Ethical?

• As individuals, as members of larger communities, and as human beings, it is

important to make principled decisions on what is right and wrong.

• The principles that help us in our decision making will vary according to the moral
values we each hold as true.

Moral health

• The goal of ethical reflection is moral health.

• Thus we seek to determine what will nourish our moral life and what will poison it.

Conclusion:

Ethics & Good Health

• Ethics is like nutrition

– One studies bodily health, the other moral health

– Significant disagreement in both fields

– Still there is a significant common ground.

On what basis do we make moral decisions?

"Do what the Bible tells you”
Divine Command Theories

• Being good is equivalent to doing whatever the Bible--or the Qur’an or some
other sacred text or source of revelation--tells you to do.
• “What is right” equals “What God tells me to do.”

“Follow your conscience”

The Ethics of Our Inner Voice

• Conscience tells us what is right or wrong

• Often has a religious source
• May be founded in a notion of human nature
• Is often negative in character, telling us what is not right

"Watch out for #1”

Ethical Egoism

• the only person to look out for is yourself

"Do the right thing"

The Ethics of Duty: deontology

• ethics is about doing what is right, about doing your duty.

• Duty may be determined by:
– Reason
• Kant: Do what any rational human being should do
– Professional role
• A physician’s duty to care for the sick
– Social role
• A parent’s duty to care for his or her children
• a person's behavior can be wrong even if it results in the best possible outcome.
• an act can be right even if it results in a negative outcome

"Don't dis' me"

The Ethics of Respect
• Human interactions should be governed by rules of respect
• What counts as respect can vary from one culture to another
– Examples:
• spitting in the sand
• showing the soles of one’s shoes--Richardson
• What is it that merits respect?
“...all Men are created ...with certain unalienable Rights”
The Ethics of Rights
• The most influential moral notion of the past two centuries
• Established minimal conditions of human decency
• “Make the world a better place”
Utilitarianism
• Seeks to reduce suffering and increase pleasure or happiness
• Demands a high degree of self-sacrifice—we must consider the consequencs for
everyone.
• Utilitarians claim the purpose of morality is to make the world a better place.
• “Daddy, that’s not fair”
The Ethics of Justice
• Begins early in the family with fairness to all family members
• What is fair for one should be fair for all.
• Treating people equally may not mean treating them the same.

"Be a good person”

Virtue Ethics
• Developed by Plato and Aristotle
• Seeks to develop individual character
• Assumes good persons will make good decisions

Biology is a natural science concerned with the study of life and living organisms,
including their structure, function, growth, origin, evolution, distribution, and taxonomy.

What is Bioethics?
· Bios + ethics
↓↓
Life way of acting
· Bioethics – is the term used to describe the application of ethics to
biological sciences, medicine and related fields.
· It is the philosophical study of the ethical controversies brought about
by advances in biology and medicine.
· It is a systematic study of moral conduct in life sciences and
medicines.
· For M.T. Reich, it is a systematic study of human behavior, specifically,
in the fields of life sciences and health care, as examined in the light of
moral values and principles.
· Bioethics is ethics to a special focus on challenges arising from modern
biotechnology.

Biotechnology is any technology using micro-organism or

biological materials for technological purposes (example is modifying
things for better quality, cloning).
SCOPE OF BIOETHICS

· In its initial stages, bioethics was concerned with ethical problems

associated to medical practices but later, the subjects matter was
broadened to include all biosciences. Bioethics does not deal only but
solely to the doctor-patience of relationship from a moral stand point, but
it expanded to social issues related to health, animal welfare,
environmental concerns, however, biomedical ethics remains central to
this paradigmatic discipline.
· The problem of bioethics has something to do to the challenges posted by
the biotechnological advances and its power over life and death.

· In our study we will deal to the questions about human life in 3 different
points.
• The beginning of life (Contraception and Family Planning)
• In the midst of life (Genetic Engineering and Abortion_
• At the end of life (Death penalty and Euthanasia)
· The field of bioethics addresses a broad swath of human inquiry, ranging
from debates over the boundaries of life (e.g. abortion, euthanasia) to the
allocation of scarce health care resources (e.g. organ donation, health
care rationing) to the right to turn down medical care for religious or
cultural reasons.

IMPORTANCE OR SIGNIFICANCE OF BIOETHICS

1. To provide awareness to the health team or workers of the “do’s and

don’ts” of medical practice.
2. To enrich one’s competence by understanding that the patient is a
person and a holistic individual.

– This field of study was developed in countries that had to face

many ethical challenges due to the bioscientific
developments, but the same moral problem challenges us
even in the Philippines. As medical interventions became
more powerful, ethical problems associated to medical and
health practices also grow.
– Along this line of development, it is vital for every member of
the health profession to be acquainted to ethical principles
involved in the biomedical procedures. Biological sciences will
continue to grow, as it will, there is a great need for us to take
a moral stand on these “development”. Indeed, no end is in
sight for the need of health professionals who are conversant
to bioethics, for they alone will be the most efficient and
effective, at the same time morally responsible health service
provider.
Need for Bioethics
The following changes gave rise to the need of Bioethics
1. Scientific advances
2. Inequalities in socio-economic, educational and political positions
3. Finitude of resources
4. Pluralistic communities
5. Changes in the doctor-patient relationships
6. Rampant unethical behavior

Goal of Bioethics
1. Aims to help one recognize the ethical component and implications of every
action in order to arrive at a justifiable decision.
2. Aims to have one committed to Bioethics, and integrate it into one’s daily
living
3. Aims to correct the disequilibrium between technological possibility and moral
energy.

PROFESSIONAL ETHICS

· It is a branch of moral science which treats of the obligations which a

member of a profession owes to the public, to his / her clients.
· A professional medical ethics expresses responsibility in medical codes
and ethical treatises. All socially authorized professional power requires
a public accountability, and this is especially true of medical or
community health professional power.

MALPRACTICE AND NEGLIGENCE

· Malpractice – any professional misconduct or any unreasonable lack

of skill or fidelity in the performance of professional or fiduciary duties.
· Profit Negligence – doing failure to do that action which a reasonably
prudent person would have done or would have not done in like or
similar circumstance.

ELEMENTS OF NEGLIGENCE

Note: Before one is accused of negligence, there are certain

elements that should be present. If one of these is not present,
negligence cannot be declared:
1. Existence of duty – there must be a moral obligation incumbent upon
the person of doing or omitting something as mandated by her/his
profession.
2. Failure to perform the duty – one fails to respond the call of his/her
profession.
3. Injury resulting from failure – there was a grave harm that results
from not doing his/her duty or from doing the wrong thing due to lack
of knowledge.
Note: It is therefore very important to a member of a certain
profession, to know his/her rights and duties as a professional

Six Elements that must be present for a case of nursing malpractice to be proven

1. Duty
The nurse must have a relationship with the client that involves providing care
and following an acceptable standard of care

2. Breach of duty
There must be a standard of care that is expected in the specific situation, but
that the nurse did not observe

3. Foreseeability
A link must exist between the nurse’s act and the injury suffered

4. Causation
It must be proved that the harm occurred as a direct result of the nurse’s
failure to follow the standard of care and the nurse could have known that
failure to follow the standard of care could result in such harm

5. Harm or injury
The client or plaintiff must demonstrate some type of harm or injury as a
result of the breach of duty owed the client

6. Damages
If malpractice caused the injury, the nurse is held liable for damages that may
be compensated. The goal of awarding damages is to assist the injured party
to his or her original position so far as financially as possible.

Philippine Nursing Act of 1992 – defines the scope of nursing practice

· Nurses are held responsible and accountable for the quality of performance of their
duties.
· Nurses employed in any agencies are directly responsible to their immediate
supervisors.
· PDN are held to a standard of conduct that is expected of reasonably prudent nurses.
Nurses’ Bill of Rights
o Nurses have the right of practice in any manner that fulfills their
obligations to society and to those who receive nursing care.

o Nurses have the right to practice in environments that allow them to act in
accordance with professional standards and legally authorized scopes of
practice.
o Nurses have the right to a work environment that supports and facilitates
ethical practice, in accordance with the Code of Ethics for Nurses and its
imperative statements.
o Nurses have the right to freely and openly advocate for themselves and
their patients, without fear of retribution.
o Nurses have the right to fair compensation for their work, consistent with
their knowledge, experience, and professional responsibilities.
o Nurses have the right to a work environment that is safe for themselves
and their patients.
o Nurses have the right to negotiate the conditions of their employment,
either as individuals or collectively, in all practice settings.

Nursing Ethics is the examination of all kinds of ethical and bioethical issues from the
perspective of nursing theory and practice ( Johnstone 1999)
The ICN Code of Ethics for Nurses has four principal elements that
outline the standards of ethical conduct.

ELEMENTS OF THE CODE

1. NURSES AND PEOPLE

The nurse’s primary professional responsibility is to people requiring
nursing care.
In providing care, the nurse promotes an environment in which the
human rights, values, customs and spiritual beliefs of the individual,
family and community are respected.
The nurse ensures that the individual receives sufficient information
on which to base consent for care and related treatment.
The nurse holds in confidence personal information and uses judgement
in sharing this information.
The nurse shares with society the responsibility for initiating and supporting
action to meet the health and social needs of the public, in
particular those of vulnerable populations.
The nurse also shares responsibility to sustain and protect the natural
environment from depletion, pollution, degradation and
destruction.
2. NURSES AND PRACTICE
The nurse carries personal responsibility and accountability for
nursing practice, and for maintaining competence by continual
learning.
3
The nurse maintains a standard of personal health such that the
ability to provide care is not compromised.
The nurse uses judgement regarding individual competence when
accepting and delegating responsibility.
The nurse at all times maintains standards of personal conduct
which reflect well on the profession and enhance public confidence.
The nurse, in providing care, ensures that use of technology and
scientific advances are compatible with the safety, dignity and
rights of people.

3. NURSES AND THE PROFESSION

The nurse assumes the major role in determining and implementing
acceptable standards of clinical nursing practice, management,
research and education.
The nurse is active in developing a core of research-based professional
knowledge.
The nurse, acting through the professional organisation, participates
in creating and maintaining safe, equitable social and economic
working conditions in nursing.

4. NURSES AND CO-WORKERS

The nurse sustains a co-operative relationship with co-workers in
nursing and other fields.
The nurse takes appropriate action to safeguard individuals, families
and communities when their health is endangered by a coworker
or any other person.

CODE OF ETHICS FOR REGISTERED NURSES (Philippines)

REGISTERED NURSES AND PEOPLE

Ethical Principles
1. Values, customs, and spiritual beliefs held by individuals shall be respected.
2. Individual freedom to make rational and unconstrained decisions shall be
respected.
3. Personal information acquired in the process of giving nursing care shall be held
in strict confidence.

Guidelines to be observed:
REGISTERED Nurses must
a. consider the individuality and totality of patients when they administer
care.
b. respect the spiritual beliefs and practices of patients regarding diet and
treatment.
c. uphold the rights of individuals.
d. take into consideration the culture and values of patients in providing
nursing care. However, in the event of conflicts, their welfare and safety
must take precedence.

REGISTERED NURSES AND PRACTICE

Ethical Principles
1. Human life is inviolable.
2. Quality and excellence in the care of the patients are the goals of nursing practice.
3. Accurate documentation of actions and outcomes of delivered care is the hallmark
of nursing accountability.

Guidelines to be observed:
REGISTERED Nurses must
a. know the definition and scope of nursing practice which are in the
provisions of R. A. No. 9173, known as the “Philippine Nursing Act of
2002” and Board Res. No. 425, Series of 2003, the “Rules and
Regulations Implementing the Philippine Nursing Act. of 2002”, (the
IRR).
b. be aware of their duties and responsibilities in the practice of their
profession as defined in the “Philippine Nursing Act of 2002” and the
IRR.
c. acquire and develop the necessary competence in knowledge, skills, and
attitudes to effectively render appropriate nursing services through varied
learning situations.
d. if they are administrators, be responsible in providing favorable
environment for the growth and developments of Registered Nurses in
their charge.
e. be cognizant that professional programs for specialty certification by the
BON are accredited through the Nursing Specialty Certification Council
(NSCC).
g. see to it that quality nursing care and practice meet the optimum standard
of safe nursing practice.
h. insure that modification of practice shall consider the principles of safe
nursing practice.
i. if in position of authority in a work environment, be normally and legally
responsible for devising a system of minimizing occurrences of ineffective
and unlawful nursing practice.
j. ensure that patients’ records shall be available only if they are to be issued
to those who are professionally and directly involved in their care and
when they are required by law.
Ethical Principle
4. Registered Nurses are the advocates of the patients: they shall take appropriate
steps to safeguard their rights and privileges.
Guidelines to be observed:
REGISTERED Nurses must
a. respect the “Patients’ Bill of Rights” in the delivery of nursing care.
b. provide the patients or their families with all pertinent information except
those which may be deemed harmful to their well-being.
c. uphold the patients’ rights when conflict arises regarding management of
their care.

Ethical Principle
5. Registered Nurses are aware that their actions have professional, ethical, moral,
and legal dimensions. They strive to perform their work in the best interest of all
concerned.

Guidelines to be observed:
REGISTERED Nurses must:
a. perform their professional duties in conformity with existing laws, rules
regulations. measures, and generally accepted principles of moral conduct
and proper decorum.
b. not allow themselves to be used in advertisement that should demean the
image of the profession (i.e. indecent exposure, violation of dress code,
seductive behavior, etc.).
c. decline any gift, favor or hospitality which might be interpreted as
capitalizing on patients.
d. not demand and receive any commission, fee or emolument for
recommending or referring a patient to a physician, a co-nurse or another
health care worker; not to pay any commission, fee or other compensations
to the one referring or recommending a patient to them for nursing care.
e. avoid any abuse of the privilege relationship which exists with patients
and of the privilege access allowed to their property, residence or
workplace.

REGISTERED NURSES AND CO-WORKERS

Ethical Principles
1. The Registered Nurse is in solidarity with other members of the healthcare team in
working for the patient’s best interest.
2. The Registered Nurse maintains collegial and collaborative working relationship
with colleagues and other health care providers.

Guidelines to be observed:
REGISTERED Nurses must
a. maintain their professional role/identity while working with other
members of the health team.
b. conform with group activities as those of a health team should be based on
acceptable, ethico-legal statndards.
c. contribute to the professional growth and development of other members
of the health team.
d. actively participate in professional organizations.
e. not act in any manner prejudicial to other professions.
f. honor and safeguard the reputation and dignity of the members of nursing
and other professions; refrain from making unfair and unwarranted
comments or criticisms on their competence, conduct, and procedures; or
not do anything that will bring discredit to a colleague and to any member
of other professions.
g. respect the rights of their co-workers.

REGISTERED NURSES, SOCIETY, AND ENVIRONMENT

Ethical Principles
1. The preservation of life, respect for human rights, and promotion of healthy
environment shall be a commitment of a Registered Nurse.
2. The establishment of linkages with the public in promoting local, national, and
international efforts to meet health and social needs of the people as a contributing
member of society is a noble concern of a Registered Nurse.

Guidelines to be observed:
REGISTERED Nurses must
a. be conscious of their obligations as citizens and, as such, be involved in
community concerns.
b. be equipped with knowledge of health resources within the community,
and take active roles in primary health care.
c. actively participate in programs, projects, and activities that respond to the
problems of society.
d. lead their lives in conformity with the principles of right conduct and
proper decorum.
e. project an image that will uplift the nursing profession at all times.

REGISTERED NURSES AND THE PROFESSION

Ethical Principles:
1. Maintainance of loyalty to the nursing profession and preservation of its integrity
are ideal.
2. Compliance with the by-laws of the accredited professional organization (PNA),
and other professional organizations of which the Registered Nurse is a member is
a lofty duty.
3. Commitment to continual learning and active participation in the development
and growth of the profession are commendable obligations.
4. Contribution to the improvement of the socio-economic conditions and general
welfare of nurses through appropriate legislation is a practice and a visionary
mission.

Guidelines to be observed:
Registered Nurses must
a. be members of the Accredited Professional Organization (PNA).
b. strictly adhere to the nursing standards.
c. participate actively in the growth and development of the nursing
profession.
d. strive to secure equitable socio-economic and work conditions in nursing
through appropriate legislation and other means.
e. assert for the implementation of labor and work standards.

THE HUMAN PERSON

- Biologically, possess the genetic code of Homo sapiens with the potentiality to be
the human person from the beginning of life
- In Christian perspective, persons are created by God in His image and likeness
and redeemed by his son
- Possess superior intelligence and freewill
- Is the subject of healthcare and his health is our common goal.

A person

1. Has an inherent dignity which must be respected

a. A person cannot be destroyed or denatured
b. A person must be an end and not a means to an end
c. A person can and should decide what is best for one without constraints
from others
d. All persons are of equal worth regardless of race, color, age, past history,
socioeconomic, political or cultural status
e. A person must be related to in a respectful courteous manner. One must
be acknowledged and listened to
2. Has an ultimate destiny, a single and final end (eternal happiness in union with
the Creator)
a. A person has needs that must be met
b. A person has rights
c. Must have stewardship
3. Lives with other persons in the community
a. Individual community members are in a reciprocal relationship of give and
take with the community
 b. Individual members relate to each other in peaceful pluralism
4. Reflects his Creator
a. A person possesses an inherent goodness, no matter how poor, ignorant
and dirty
b. A person is called to sainthood
c. A person who is a healthcare provider must continue Christ’s healing love
for the suffering in one’s service and love for Christ in the sick person.

HUMAN ACTS

- Applied to acts when they are proper to man as performed by a human being
- An act ( thought, word, desire, omission ) performed by a human being when he is
responsible, when he knows what he is doing and wills to do it
- Human act is actus humanus, an act of man is actus homilis- act done by human
being but without knowledge and consent
- Every human act is willed act. A human act is a moral act.
- Are the outward expression of a person’s choice.

- The morality of human act depends on 3 factors:

1. The object: the specific action, the means, what the person chooses to
do now, the proximate end of the act of willing
2. The end: the purpose of the agent, the motive, the ulterior end for
whose sake one chooses to do this here and now
3. The circumstances: who, wher, by whom, when, the context of the
action
- An act is morally good only if these factors are morally good or in conformity with
the order of reason
- Both the proximate and ulterior end must be good and the circumstance must be
appropriate.
- A person’s responsibility for a human act is proportionate to one’s capacity to make
a correct judgment and his freedom to act upon it.
- Ignorance and misinformation may cause failure of understanding.

Elements of Human Act

1. Knowledge – a person is not responsible for an act done in ignorance
2. Freedom – a person is not responsible for an act over which he has no
control
3. Actual Choice or Voluntariness – a person is not responsible for an act which
he does not will, unless he will to give up his self control.
- The more complete this elements are, the greater is the person’s responsibility to
the act
The Modifiers of Human Act

1. Ignorance
a. Vincible diligence or culpable ignorance – ignorance that may be
overcome by due diligence
b. Invincible diligence or inculpable ignorance – ignorance that cannot be
expelled by due diligence
2. Concupiscence – any of the human impulses or tendency
- technically called passions ( hatred, grief, desire, despair, anger, fear, courage,
hope, aversion, love )
a. Antecedent concupiscence – when concupiscence sweeps upon a
person without his intending
b. Consequent concupiscence – when a person wills it
3. Violence – coaction or violence is external force applied by a free cause
4. Habit – is a readiness, born of repeated acts, for for doing a certain thing.

NORMS OF HUMAN ACTS

· These are directives or guides in making decisions on what we ought to
do or to be.
a. Law – an ordinance of reason, promulgated for the common good by
one who has legitimate authority. It is an authoritative order that
should be just, honest, possible of fulfillment, useful, to a certain
degrees of permanency and promulgated or made known to the
subject.
b. Conscience – the practical judgment of reason upon an individual act
as good and to be performed or as evil and to be avoided.

IMPORTANT CLASSES OF LAWS

a. Eternal Law – It is God’s eternal plan and providence for the universe.
It is the diverse reason or will commanding the preservation of the
natural order of things and forbidding its disturbance. According to St.
Thomas, it is the plan flowing from God’s wisdom directing all acts and
movements.
b. Natural Law – it is the eternal law as known to human through
reason. It is nothing than the rational creatures’ participation in the
eternal law of God and Human comes to the knowledge of this law by
natural light of his/her reason. e.g. do good and avoid evil. (St.
Thomas)
· The reason why it is called Natural is because it is neither
communicated in a supernatural way, nor a result of a command of a
legislative or authority. The precept of natural law is found and derived
for the very nature of human beings.
PROPERTIES OF NATURAL LAW

a. Universality – the natural moral law binds every person at all times
and in all places or its basis is the very nature of human. One cannot
remain ignorant of the natural law, at least not of its basic precepts.
However, human beings do not possess the knowledge of this law, in a
fully developed form from the beginning. She or he must develop it just
as the development of other forms of knowledge. E.g. respect for life

b. Immutability – as soon as the human being has the capacity of using

his/her reason, certain fundamental norms will become self-evident to
humans. These fundamental norms are imprinted in human nature, so
that they exist as long as human nature exists. The genuine commands
and prohibitions of natural law cannot be changed.

c. Indispensability – no one is dispended or excused in the observance

of the natural law. Why? Because, the origin of natural law is God.
Natural law is identical to God’s will. Evidently, human has no authority
over a law of this status. This means that if there is dispensation of this
law, there is a violation in God’s Law.

TYPES OF NATURAL LAW AS PRESENTED OR FORBID AN ACT

1. Affirmative – laws which bind always, but not at very moment. It

states that human is morally obliged to adopt all ordinary means of
preserving health and life. However, not morally obliged to adopt
extraordinary means of preserving life, except if the point is not
spiritually prepared for death. Humans may adopt extraordinary
means to conserve health and life. If it appears to be useful,
desirable and prudent thing to do.

2. Negative – laws that are prohibitory. These are laws of the natural
order, which bind always and at every moment. It states that no act
– (+) or (-). Maybe directly, deliberately willed as a means of
destroying health or life.
At this point, it is good that we identify the ordinary from
extraordinary means of preserving life, from the standpoints of
physicians and moralists.

3. HUMAN POSITIVE LAW

· Law enhanced by the church or state.
· An ordinance of reason derived from the natural law or making a
concrete and determinate application of the natural law, promulgated
for the common good by a human institution in charge of society.
Note: Whenever we perform actions that are in conformity to the
law, it is good. We are talking now of laws that are also morally
sound, this will guide us not only to become citizens who abide to
certain rules but also develop us to become moral individuals. The
knowledge on the different aspects of laws will enable us to become
more careful in following the norms to fulfill our duty in the
preservation of human life.

Functions of the Law in Nursing

· Provides a framework for establishing which nursing actions in the care of the clients
are legal
· Differentiates the nurses’ responsibilities from those of other health professional
· Helps establish the boundaries of independent nursing action
· Assists in maintaining a standard of nursing practice by making nurses accountable
under the law

THE CALLING OF THE HEALTHCARE PROFESSION

- Health is the optimum human functioning of a person to meet biological

physiological, psychological, social and spiritual needs in an integrated manner.
It is multifactoral. Health is wholeness.
o Biological refers to man’s having all the correct structure in the proper
places and in the proper sizes, biochemically and physiologically
functioning optimally to grow, mature, maintain and continue one’s
species. Dysfunction is disease, sickness, and death.
o Psychological refers to man’s manifesting appropriate mental and
emotional behavior. Dysfunctions are mental disorders
o Social refers to man’s making rational and correct moral choices, the
ability to choose and control self, and assume responsibility for choices
made. Dysfunctions are antisocial behavior.
o Spiritual refers to man’s creativity and commitment. It is the ability to self
actualize, plan, set goals, unite to and connect with God and all of
creation.
- Many healthcare providers are concerned almost exclusively with physiological
and psychological functions
- They must be cognizant of the social and spiritual functions of their patients and
help them lead a better life.
 - Bioethics deals with life. Health is closely related to a good life therefore
understanding of what health is, how healthcare is delivered and the role of the
healthcare professional is necessary.
- Healthcare is a special service the healthcare provider is privileged to offer.
Scientific expertise is not enough, what ir required is love for others: the caring
presence and attention for someone in need.

The Health Care Profession

It is a special calling, a service characterized by a trusting and caring relationship

which cannot be measured in monetary terms.
- Providing healthcare is not a career. It is a vocation.

The Healthcare Provider

- The healthcare professional is one who passed a government examination and

pays an annual license to practice. To deserve this title and its corresponding
benefits, one must conduct oneself in an ethical professional manner:
1. The healthcare professional recognizes one’s debt to the persons supported
one’s education, to the patients and research subjects one practiced on, to
the educators one learned from and to society who provided resources for
learning
2. A health professional’s primary responsibility is to serve mankind. This entails
responsibilities to oneself, the patient, the patient’s family, other healthcare
providers, the profession and society.
a. To oneself, the healthcare professional must take care of one’s own
physical health and wholeness. One must remain competent both in
scientific and interpersonal skills by participating in continuing medical
education activities
b. To one’s patient the healthcare professional must be a trustworthy
advocate, always keeping the patient’s best interest as one’s first
 priority. One must respond to emergency calls and do one’s best to
care for those who need one’s help.
c. To the patient’s family the healthcare professional must be
understanding and compassionate.
d. To other healthcare providers, the health care professional must have
a common goal and work as a team in a climate of mutual
responsibility, support and respect.
e. To one’s profession, the healthcare professional must maintain and
upgrade its standards, protect and respect his colleagues, avoid unfair
competition or solicitation of patients, correct erring members and be a
role model for younger colleagues
f. To society, the healthcare professional must be a good citizen and
promote the common good: a safe environment, a just and available
healthcare program especially for the poor. One must contribute to
knowledge through research.

The Patient

- Every person has an obligation to care for his own health, therefore he has the
right to seek and receive healthcare
- A sick individual becomes a patient if
1. he admits that he is sick
2. that he can no longer take care of himself
3. he asks for help or aid
- Because he is sick and unable to heal himself, a patient is vulnerable, often
unable to judge or choose the quality of healthcare he needs or receives. He
must be protected from harm. (exploitation)
- As a patient in need of healthcare, he must be given the best possible care and
taught how to care for himself
- As a patient asking for healthcare he must accept responsibility for his care,
cooperate with his healthcare giver by telling the truth and doing his best to follow
instructions.
- He must give respect, gratitude and compensation to his healthcare provider.
- In all these, the patients remains, always a person with dignity, and must be
treated with respect.
- His privacy and autonomy must not be violated.