Essay Sample on Solving Ethical Dilemmas in Social Work

Introduction

Although assisting individuals is an inaccurate discipline, social work involves evidence-based learning consisting of regulations and standards for ethical dilemmas. Yarhouse and Johnson (2013) mentioned that ethical dilemmas consist of complex values, behaviors, and morals and abide by the social worker; several ways can be used to solve the issue. None of the choices for the problem is best. Therefore, a violation occurs in the process of deciding which solution to comply with. The paper discusses first the ethical issues, social values, ethical conflict, then groups or organization affected by the action, then identify the possible solutions and finally look at the reason for choosing the action taken using Pat's case scenario.

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Ethical Issues

In this case, the patient is having difficulties committing herself to the treatment as if she does not understand her health conditions. After being revealed, this is necessary to understand and because she is acting in this way. According to Principle 7, confidentiality must be maintained (Timms, 2018). Still, given the situation where you put your health at risk, we can use the examples from Principles 5 and 6 that discuss the need for the patient's well-being.

Moreover, based on Timms (2018) social work values, argued that ethical values such as service that involves helping and addressing the social problem, integrity that involves trustworthiness of a social worker as well as competence in the area of their profession must be adhered without losing sight to contribute to the best outcome especially in an ethical dilemma. So, in this case, the ethical issue concerns the confidentiality and trust of this patient, but at the same time, this position puts her at imminent risk that will affect the well-being of the patient. Thus, confidentiality and quality of life, which involve disclosing everything to ensure the patient's well-being, results in ethic conflict.

Those Affected

Therefore, deciding to inform the team will cause the whole dynamics to change, the entire team will have to deal with the fact that they need to deal with the patient more carefully, and they need to understand all their resistance to the treatment. Furthermore, choosing to ignore the information and enhancing the patient's confidentiality and trust, I will violate principle number 5, which involves the enhancement of the quality of life of the patient.

Thus, all the teams are affected with either of the decisions to solve the issue, such that Arkansascare insurance ensures payment of resources to ensure the well-being of the client, and the post-surgical team has to ensure recovery of the patient. On the other hand, Pats may feel betrayed, which can affect his treatment in general and his relationship with the hospital and his health. As a result, all the parties are involved in one way or another in either of the decision.

Courses of Action

The principles involved are 1, 2, 5, 6, and 7. Regarding principles 6 and 7, keeping confidentiality and trustworthiness requires hiding the information from the team that Pats is not cooperating with the treatment. Thus, through such an action, Pats will benefit since her privacy will be adhered to. But for the case of the post-surgical team, it will be difficult for them to adhere to principle 1, which involves the protection of life. Moreover, for Arkansascare insurance, it will be losing resources paying for services that are not benefiting their client, especially when her well-being is not guaranteed due to hiding information. In order to protect the patient's life (principle 1), it is necessary to inform the team that Pats does not cooperate with the treatment, that they need to find a way to make her understand herself and her limitations as stated in principle 4 and 5, least harm can be caused to the client provided the outcome will have a positive impact which will reverse the harm. Principle 5 suggests that social workers should choose a solution that will improve the patient's quality of life.

One should work with the team to plan the next steps in their treatment to offer a way to better understand the patient based on their views and demands of it. Thus, through such an action, the post-surgical team and Arkansascare insurance would benefit since the team will meet principle 1 and 5 requirements, while the insurance will save on their resources as the patient feels better. On the contrary, there is a risk that she will no longer want treatment or even continue with the same attitudes. But there is also the possibility that she will change her perspective and understand that she needs to improve.

Reasons

Revealing some of the patient's confidentiality is difficult, but you need to make certain decisions to improve the patient in question when it comes to your being. The ethics codes make it clear that the patient's want and his / her needs to be valued and that this can go beyond the confidentiality line if necessary. Based on Kusier and Folker (2018) hedonism, the ethical theory suggested that maximizing pleasure now is important than worrying about the future.

Thus, individuals are supposed to use their intellectual quest and good judgment based on the relationship. Moreover, Godden's (2017) golden mean ethical theory suggested that middle ground is vital, especially when it comes to two extreme situations. The choice which seems to be having a fairground is selected out of the other alternative actions. Principle 1 speaks clearly on this point. It is an ethical decision of great importance for the whole team, so it needs to be analyzed. Although values such as culture, religion among others might affect the decision-making of the individual, principle 4 speaks of least harm; thus, violation of some of the ethical values such as trust is significant for the patient's well-being. Besides, personal issues should not interfere with ethical issues in any way.

Through consultancy, my colleagues argued that informing the team is the most option to abide by principle 1, which is vital. Furthermore, Lo (2012) ethical scholar suggested that life is more important than emotions; hence as a social worker enhancing the quality of life using options in decision action is significant for an individual and the community. Therefore, I would stand that informing the team would be the best option for protecting life.

Conclusion

An ethical dilemma is a complex away of weighing options without causing harm. Therefore, since all teams and individuals are affected when either of the problem option choices is made, violation of the ethical values is allowed since the best outcome will be attained, as stated by principle 4. Furthermore, the golden mean ethical theory suggests that middle ground should be achieved for both parties. Thus, informing the team would benefit all the team in one way or another; hence, it would be the middle ground to such an ethical dilemma.

References

Godden, N.J., 2017. The love ethic: A radical theory for social work practice. Australian Social Work, 70(4), pp.405-416. https://doi.org/10.1080/0312407X.2017.1301506

Kusier, A.O., and Folker, A.P., 2019. The Well-Being Index WHO-5: hedonistic foundation and practical limitations. Medical Humanities, pp.medhum-2018.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/medhum-2018-011636

Lo, B., 2012. Resolving ethical dilemmas: a guide for clinicians. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

Timms, N., 2018. Social work values: An enquiry. Routledge.

Yarhouse, M.A. and Johnson, V., 2013. Value and ethical issues: The interface between psychology and religion. https://doi.org/10.1037/14046-003.