48 Questions
What is the primary focus of consequentialism in pharmacy ethics?
Evaluating the outcomes and consequences of a decision
Which ethical principle is focused on following rules and duty?
Deontology
What is the primary concern of utilitarianism in pharmacy ethics?
The greatest benefit for the greatest number of people
Which ethical principle prioritizes the moral values and character traits of the pharmacist?
Virtue-based ethics
What is the primary question a pharmacist should ask themselves when considering consequentialism?
What will happen as a result of my action?
What is the primary consideration of deontology in pharmacy ethics?
The duty to follow professional rules and guidelines
Which ethical concept prioritizes the greater good, even if it means harming a smaller group?
Utilitarianism
What is the main criticism of consequentialism?
It is impossible to predict the outcome of actions
What is the central principle of deontology?
Rules should be followed consistently
What is the main problem with applying 200-year-old ethical concepts to modern society?
Society and technology have moved on, making them outdated
What is the main purpose of the Beauchamp and Childress model?
To provide a framework for decision making
What is the main difference between a true ethical dilemma and a procedural problem?
A true ethical dilemma involves a conflict between two or more ethical principles
What is the main criticism of virtue-based ethics?
It is potentially subjective and open to interpretation
What is the main characteristic of ethical passivity and abdication?
Refusing to intervene in injustices
What is the main purpose of the Wingfield and Badcott tool?
To gather relevant facts and prioritize values
What is the main advantage of using the Beauchamp and Childress model in decision making?
It is a tool for decision making, not a solution
What is the primary focus of a pharmacist's moral principles in virtue-based ethics?
Prioritizing the well-being and needs of the patient
Which ethical concept considers the outcome of an action to determine its morality?
Consequentialism
What is the primary consideration of a pharmacist when making a decision based on deontology?
Following the rules and duty
Which ethical concept prioritizes the benefit to the majority, even if it means harming a smaller group?
Utilitarianism
What is the primary question a pharmacist should ask themselves when considering deontology?
Is the action I'm going to take more morally correct if I'm following the rules set by the profession?
What is the primary consideration of a pharmacist when making a decision based on utilitarianism?
The benefit to the majority
What is the main difficulty with using consequentialism in pharmacy ethics?
It is difficult to predict the outcome of a decision.
What is the main limitation of using the Beauchamp and Childress model in pharmacy ethics?
It is not a tool for making decisions, but rather a framework for identifying principles.
What is the main problem with applying 200-year-old ethical concepts to modern society?
Society and technology have moved on, making them less relevant.
What is the main difference between an ethical dilemma and a procedural problem?
An ethical dilemma involves a conflict between two or more ethical principles.
What is the main purpose of the Wingfield and Badcott tool?
To generate options for solving a problem.
What is the main characteristics of ethical passivity and abdication?
A failure to intervene in a situation.
What is the main advantage of using the Beauchamp and Childress model in pharmacy ethics?
It is a framework for identifying ethical principles.
What is the main criticism of deontology?
Rules sometimes have exceptions, and the concept is reliant on consistent rules.
What is the main focus of virtue-based ethics?
The moral values and character traits of the pharmacist.
What is the main difference between utilitarianism and deontology?
Utilitarianism prioritizes the greater good, even if it means harming a smaller group.
What is the primary consideration of a pharmacist when making a decision based on virtue-based ethics?
The well-being and needs of the patient
Which ethical concept considers the morality of an action based on its outcome?
Consequentialism
What guides the decision-making process in deontology?
The rules set by the profession or law
What is the main goal of utilitarianism?
To create the greatest benefit for the majority of people
Which ethical concept prioritizes the well-being and needs of the patient?
Virtue-based ethics
What is the main consideration of a pharmacist when making a decision based on consequentialism?
The outcome of the action
What is the primary goal of the 'greater good' argument?
To maximize the benefit to the majority, even if it means harming a smaller group
What is the main limitation of using deontology?
It does not consider the circumstances and consequences of an action
What is the primary consideration of a pharmacist when making a decision based on virtue-based ethics?
The moral values and character traits of the pharmacist
What is the main difference between a true ethical dilemma and a procedural problem?
A true ethical dilemma involves a conflict between two or more ethical principles, while a procedural problem involves a conflict between professional standards and employer demands
What is the primary purpose of the Wingfield and Badcott tool?
To prioritize and ascribe values to the interests of the involved parties
What is the main characteristic of ethical passivity and abdication?
Failure to intervene and make a decision
What is the primary focus of the Beauchamp and Childress model?
To balance the principles of beneficence, non-maleficence, autonomy, and justice
What is the main problem with using 200-year-old ethical concepts in modern society?
They are not applicable to modern society and have been misused in the past
What is the primary consideration of a pharmacist when making a decision based on consequentialism?
The consequences of the action
What is the main difference between consequentialism and deontology?
Consequentialism prioritizes the consequences of the action, while deontology prioritizes the benefit to the majority, even if it means harming a smaller group
Study Notes
Defining Ethics
- Ethics are moral principles that govern a person's behavior or the conducting of an activity
- As a future Pharmacy Professional, what moral principles will govern your decision making and behavior?
Considerations in Pharmacy Ethics
- Consequentialism: The morality of a decision/action is entirely dependent on its outcomes or consequences
- Questions to consider:
- What will happen as a result of my action?
- Does the action matter if the outcome is good for the patient?
- Utilitarianism: The most moral outcome is that which creates the greatest benefit (similar to consequentialism and often used at societal level)
- Questions to consider:
- Will my actions benefit some at the expense of others?
- Would taking action benefitting multiple people be more ‘morally right’?
- Deontology: Duty or rules-based ethics, often dependent on the ‘duty’ people live their lives by
- Questions to consider:
- Is the action I’m going to take more morally correct if I’m following the rules set by the profession or even the law?
- Is the action I’m going to take more morally correct if I’m following the rules set by the profession or even the law?
- Virtue-based ethics: Moral values and character traits are the foundation of making morally sound decisions
- Questions to consider:
- Am I prioritizing the well-being and needs of the patient above all else?
- Am I respecting the values of the patient?
Problems with Ethical Concepts
- Consequentialism: Do you know in advance what the outcome is going to be?
- Utilitarianism: Despite identifying that everyone is equal, decisions can be unfair or lack justice
- Deontology: Rules sometimes have exceptions, concept reliant on consistent rules; doesn’t consider circumstance or consequence
- Virtue-based ethics: Potentially subjective and open to interpretation as not universally agreed
UK COVID Response
- Early stages: Stay home, protect the NHS, save lives, lockdown, which patients got a bed in ITU
- Middle to later stages: Hands, face, space, eat out to help out, vaccine rollout NHS only, vaccine scheduling who was and wasn’t entitled, shielding
Problems with Ethical Concepts: General
- Most of these concepts are 200 years old or more
- Society and technology have moved on
- Ethical concepts have been misused in the 20th century to justify, minimize, or absolve actions that would be considered monstrous
Biomedical Ethics (Beauchamp and Childress Model)
- Most famous conception of biomedical ethics
- Beneficence, non-maleficence, autonomy, justice
- Used by the UN
Dilemmas in Practice
- Most problems in practice are not ethical dilemmas but procedural problems to be solved
- Often they involve conflict between professional standards, employer demands, legislation, and the needs of the patient
- True ethical dilemmas occur where there is a conflict between two or more ethical principles which are mutually exclusive
- The majority of dilemmas whether they have an ethical component or not can be resolved through reviewing information and identifying the best outcome
Dilemmas in Practice 2
- When applying ethical concepts to a dilemma, you may identify different outcomes
- Beauchamp and Childress is a tool, not a solution
- Problems will be multifactorial, the problem, solutions, consequences, and outcomes for all involved need to be considered before identifying the most appropriate solution
- GPhC Standards and guidance documents are derived from Beauchamp and Childress and are essential tools in making professional decisions
Tools to Consider: Wingfield and Badcott
- Gather the relevant facts: what laws apply, what standards apply
- Prioritize and ascribe values: what are the interests of the involved parties?
- Generate options: what can you do, what are the consequences?
- Choose an option: what should you do, and can you justify it?
Ethical Passivity and Ethical Abducation
- Failure/refusal to intervene
- Failure/refusal to make a choice
- Avoiding moral responsibility
- Apathy to issues of those involved
- Not speaking out against injustices
Explore the moral principles that govern a pharmacy professional's decision making and behavior. Consider consequentialism and other ethical considerations in pharmacy practice. Apply ethical principles to real-world scenarios.
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