Healthcare Scope of Practice

Scope of Practice

• Definition: The scope of practice refers to the range of activities and responsibilities that a healthcare professional is authorized to perform within their profession.
• Determines the services that a healthcare professional is qualified to provide to patients.
• Scope of practice varies by profession, jurisdiction, and employer.
• Key factors that influence scope of practice:
  • Education and training
  • Licensure and certification
  • Employer policies and procedures
  • Professional standards and guidelines

Professional Ethics

• Definition: Professional ethics refer to the moral principles and values that guide a healthcare professional's behavior and decision-making.
• Key principles of professional ethics:
  • Respect for autonomy: respecting patients' rights to make informed decisions about their care.
  • Beneficence: acting in the best interests of patients.
  • Non-maleficence: avoiding harm to patients.
  • Justice: promoting fairness and equity in healthcare.
  • Veracity: truthfulness and honesty in interactions with patients.
  • Confidentiality: maintaining patient privacy and confidentiality.
• Importance of professional ethics:
  • Builds trust between healthcare professionals and patients.
  • Ensures high-quality, patient-centered care.
  • Maintains public trust and confidence in the healthcare system.
  • Guides decision-making in complex or uncertain situations.
  • Supports professional accountability and responsibility.

Scope of Practice

• Scope of practice defines the range of activities and responsibilities a healthcare professional is authorized to perform within their profession.
• It determines the services a healthcare professional is qualified to provide to patients.
• Scope of practice varies depending on the profession, jurisdiction, and employer.
• Education and training influence scope of practice by qualifying healthcare professionals to perform specific tasks.
• Licensure and certification also play a role in determining scope of practice by ensuring healthcare professionals meet minimum standards.
• Employer policies and procedures can impact scope of practice by outlining specific responsibilities and limitations.
• Professional standards and guidelines also influence scope of practice by establishing best practices and expectations.

Professional Ethics

Principles of Professional Ethics

• Respect for autonomy involves respecting patients' rights to make informed decisions about their care.
• Beneficence means acting in the best interests of patients.
• Non-maleficence involves avoiding harm to patients.
• Justice promotes fairness and equity in healthcare.
• Veracity involves truthfulness and honesty in interactions with patients.
• Confidentiality involves maintaining patient privacy and confidentiality.

Importance of Professional Ethics

• Professional ethics build trust between healthcare professionals and patients.
• They ensure high-quality, patient-centered care by guiding healthcare professionals to prioritize patient needs.
• Professional ethics maintain public trust and confidence in the healthcare system by promoting transparency and accountability.
• They guide decision-making in complex or uncertain situations by providing a moral framework.
• Professional ethics support professional accountability and responsibility by encouraging healthcare professionals to take ownership of their actions.