Ethical Principles in Healthcare

Guidance for Exercising Professional Judgment

• Practicing ethically is crucial to maintain public trust, profession's reputation, deliver appropriate patient care, retain self-governance, and protect public interest.

Ethical Principles

• Principle One: Patient's well-being is paramount; members must act in their interest, develop professional relationships within scope of practice, and respect patients' right to self-determination.
• Principle Two: Members exercise professional judgment in the best interest of the patient, consistent with scope of practice, to meet patient needs.
• Principle Three: Members must preserve confidentiality of patient information, except when authorized by the patient, required by law, or to protect the patient or another person from harm.
• Principle Four: Members must respect patients' autonomy, individuality, and dignity, provide care without discrimination, and refer to another pharmacist if necessary.

Competence and Professionalism

• Medication Expertise: Maintain competence, fulfill CE requirements, adhere to current laws and regulations, and maintain certification and credentials.
• Collaboration: Work constructively with other members of the inter-professional team and treat colleagues with respect.
• Safety/Quality: Engage in continuing professional development, quality assurance, and quality improvement.
• Professionalism/Ethics: Apply ethical principles in daily work, treat each other with sensitivity, personal and professional integrity, and fulfill professional development requirements.

Obligation and Self-Reporting

• Obligation to report remains even if the regulated health professional resigned or relinquished privileges before the employer did so.
• Self-report to the College if found guilty of or charged with an offence, or if there is a finding of professional misconduct, incompetence, or incapacity.

OCP Mandate

• The Ontario College of Pharmacists (OCP) serves and protects the public interest by setting entrance to practice requirements, ensuring quality assurance, and enforcing standards through investigation and discipline proceedings.

Code of Ethics

• A set of principles that form the basis of ethical conduct of members, guiding their professional behavior.

This quiz covers the importance of practicing ethically in healthcare, maintaining public trust, and delivering appropriate patient care. It also explores the ethical principles that guide healthcare professionals.