DESCRIPTION OF THE ETHICAL DILEMMA AND THE CONTEXT
Introduction
Ethical decision making is at the core of social work practice. It is not a set of followed rules, but a way in which we determine the most ideal outcomes for ethical dilemmas or problems (Borst,2010). An Ethical dilemma occurs when a situation arises that causes conflict within our values, duties and principles. It requires an informed decision on a preferred course of action, often with equally unwelcome results (Banks,2012, Reamer,2006,p.44). There are a broad range of models developed for decision making including the inclusive model (McAuliffe & Chenoweth,2008) and the ETHIC model (Congress,2000). These models help frame the dilemma and information gathered to move forward with a viable course of action. This paper explores the case of Camilla, in a Victorian hospital setting. It will use Ethical decision making frameworks to identify ethical dilemmas, information gathering and viable courses of action. The ethical dilemma
Camilla, 15yrs old and pregnant, has confided to the hospital social worker that she has …show more content…
It is important when working through an ethical dilemma, to consider who will be affected by the dilemma and subsequent decision (McAuliffe & Chenoweth, 2008). The decision for Camilla could affect her future, her well-being, it could also affect her capacity to trust. For her family, there is cultural sensitivity around Spanish Catholic origins, this will depend on how much information is disclosed to them and how they choose to receive it. For the boyfriend, the decision could affect him for the rest of his life – he may be criminally charged, he may appear on the sex offenders register. For the hospital, making the wrong decision, could have legal consequences. For the social worker, the decision could cause personal and professional loss—if a decision was seen to be in legal or ethical
Introduction
Ethical decision making is at the core of social work practice. It is not a set of followed rules, but a way in which we determine the most ideal outcomes for ethical dilemmas or problems (Borst,2010). An Ethical dilemma occurs when a situation arises that causes conflict within our values, duties and principles. It requires an informed decision on a preferred course of action, often with equally unwelcome results (Banks,2012, Reamer,2006,p.44). There are a broad range of models developed for decision making including the inclusive model (McAuliffe & Chenoweth,2008) and the ETHIC model (Congress,2000). These models help frame the dilemma and information gathered to move forward with a viable course of action. This paper explores the case of Camilla, in a Victorian hospital setting. It will use Ethical decision making frameworks to identify ethical dilemmas, information gathering and viable courses of action. The ethical dilemma
Camilla, 15yrs old and pregnant, has confided to the hospital social worker that she has …show more content…
It is important when working through an ethical dilemma, to consider who will be affected by the dilemma and subsequent decision (McAuliffe & Chenoweth, 2008). The decision for Camilla could affect her future, her well-being, it could also affect her capacity to trust. For her family, there is cultural sensitivity around Spanish Catholic origins, this will depend on how much information is disclosed to them and how they choose to receive it. For the boyfriend, the decision could affect him for the rest of his life – he may be criminally charged, he may appear on the sex offenders register. For the hospital, making the wrong decision, could have legal consequences. For the social worker, the decision could cause personal and professional loss—if a decision was seen to be in legal or ethical