1. How do Ethics impact healthcare and medical students?
1.1. Ethics impact every field of business. In healthcare specifically, there are many voiced opinions about what it right and what is wrong. As morality is the key principle to ethics, it is a very fine line to tread when dealing with health issues (Menard, 2019).
1.1.1. A large controversial topic in this industry has been vaccination vs anti-vaccinations. Many parents have chosen to give in to anti-vaccine propaganda and refused to vaccinate their children. In the context of vaccines, given the relatively straightforward nature of the benefits and risks, the age of consent seems likely to be relatively young (Caulfeild, 2019). As a result, doctors must face ethical questions of whether to vaccinate a minor that has given consent, without the parents knowledge. If we are speaking about a consenting adolescent, pertaining to legal standards of a mature minor, it is completely ethical to apply the procedure. It is the duty of the doctor to inform the adolescent about the vaccination, and any risks or side effects that may follow.
1.2. Ethics in any profession is considerably important. In healthcare especially, there are numerous guidelines to follow. Not only to protect oneself but to protect the company or facility that one works for. Furthermore, to protect any patients that are cared for. Common sense would dictate that we are able to recognize what is right and wrong. Early on as children we are taught not to talk back to our parents, not to misbehave in public, use ill words or use our hands to prove our point or emotions. We also understand that the right and respect thing to do is use manners, be courteous, and respect our elders and authority figures (Mortensen, 2019).
1.3. Unethical behaviour is a rising concern in healthcare. Not only in the workplace but in learning establishments, such as medical schools and training hospitals. Anne Mcilroy and Paul Taylor acknowledge in their recent article that was featured in The Globe and Mail, that our new generation of doctors as at a substantial risk of learning under unethical circumstances. Mcilroy & Taylor state that medical students disclosed that training doctors were authorizing students to perform pelvic exams without authorization from patients, while under general anesthesia or unconscious. Furthermore, teaching doctors were neglecting to teach medical students with safe and adequate equipment, and when asked upon for assitance; when a student felt a procedure or responsibility was out of their scope of practice, doctors ignored to assist with the request. This is neglect, unethical, and a vast concern for the future of medicine. Luckily, the medical students knew their rights and knew what it means to oblige by a code of ethics. With their courage to come forward, the Dean of Undergraduate medical education, in Toronto, was made aware of the situtation. He expressed his concern for the program and for hospitals among Canada and the United States. Dr. Richard Frecker stated that it is most likely not the first time this has happened in a teaching hospital and sadly without written complaints, individuals will contiune to turn a blind eye. Flecker also states "the university would proceed with disciplinary action if any students lodged a formal complaint" (Mcilroy & Taylor, 2018).
1.3.1. This article advocates for the rights of safe practices for workers and for patients. New policies need to be implemented now. Patients go to the hospital to receive the care they need, to then be sent home to recover. A patient has the right to refuse intravenous drugs, especially if it is not part of her birth plan. It is disgraceful and unethical for any medical staff to administer medicine to a patient whom has not given consent. Unless stated by a physician that there is a damage to the mother or fetus, the patient can exercise their rights however they see fit. This is why we have a code of ethics set in place. It is a code to live and work by. It keeps individuals at work safe, and individuals receiving care.
2. How are Ethics impacting our future Nurses
2.1. The health care sector is the place with many cases of ethical and unethical behaviours. Although, doctors know how to resolve many problems, the nursing students are expected to deal with many ethical challenges and dilemmas throughout their training practices. Their decisions depend one different factors, such as, inequality to access healthcare system from the customers, the location of the hospital or clinic, and the availability of resources for successful services. In addition, when students do their practices, they have a lack of confidence when it comes to making sole decisions. They also have restrictions and rules to follow that are specific to their routine and their work experience. (Mendez Alvarado, 2019).
2.1.1. According to Fethiye & Fatos (2009), the health care in Turkey has many unethical issues and those complaints come from the nurses and physicians. They found unethical behaviours such as psychology and physical maltreatment for the patients, and violation of their privacy. Psychology maltreatment can be recognized as the lack of communication and health teachings between health care provider and patient. Thus, leading to patient incontinence, and embarrassment for the patient. Physical maltreatment is recognized as physicians seeking patients to undress in front of numerous students for vaginal examinations, without proper privacy and patient respect. This violates the patients rights to privacy and can be quite exploiting cause harm to the patient, or awkward situations for the nursing students, not to mention awful habits being instilled. This cause added and unnecessary stress for the nursing students. The government needs to heavily weigh in on the issues at hand and create more laws advocating for human rights and the integrity of individuals seeking medical assistance from a hospital or clinic (Mendez Alvarado, 2019).
3. Ethical Behaviour
3.1. What is Ethical behaviour, and how does it impact individuals in workplaces?
3.2. Ethical behaviour is the way individuals conduct themselves according to moral principles or standards that the society they live in has set and follows (Menendez Madrigal, 2019). Coworkers are expected to maintain an ethical standard between one another to ensure a healthy work environment. These characteristics are observed in businesses by witnessing certain values and principles, such as integrity, honesty, transparency, etc. These should be respected to maintain an ethical environment at work (MyAccountingCourse, 2019).
4. Unethical Behaviour
4.1. What is considered Unethical behaviour?
4.2. Unethical behaviour is the opposite of ethical behaviour. It is going against moral principles. Examples include mistreating employees, fraud, financial misconduct, misrepresentation and falsification (Menendez Madrigal, 2019).
4.3. 5 common ethical issues in the workplace
4.3.1. Unethical leadership can be described as your employer taking advantage of staff, withholding breaks, bullying, sending employees to purchase items that are not business related, or retreating unsafe work. Studies show that 60% of misconduct is by misuse of authority and leadership abusing power roles (n.d., 2019).
4.3.1.1. Toxic Workplace Culture as stated above, if a leader is participating in unethical leadership, it is expected that the establishment would develop a toxic workplace culture. This means that the company would be selective in the hiring process as they would want like-minded individuals. This is a concern because it can lead to discrimination or pressuring individuals to fit in or they will lose their job.
4.3.1.1.1. Discrimination and Harassment is any circumstance that makes an individual feel singled out or insulted due to race, religion, age, disability, or sexual orientation. Law requires everyone to have equal rights, but some are still very set in their ways and are unwilling to change perspectives. Some individuals or groups will not hire women for labour positions. Some will not hire individuals from the LGTBQ community. some individuals are unable to gain employment because of the colour of their skin, or where they immigrated from.