Ethics in Medical Radiography

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Ethics in Medical Radiography

• Rolly R. Reyes, BS, RT(R)

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What we will cover

• Definition and characteristics of ethics
• Ethics in health care
• ARRT Radiographers Code of Ethics
• Patients Bill of Rights
• Bioethics
• Bioethical Dilemmas

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Definition of Ethics

• A system or code of conduct and morals advocated
  by a particular individual or group

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Ethics Characteristics

• Branch of Philosophy
• Understanding determinations and motivations
  based on conceptions of right and wrong.
• No rigid guidelines or strict rules
• Relatively stable, but can change over time as
  peoples conception change.

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Ethnocentrism

• The notion that ones own ethnic group or culture
  is superior to that of others.

Western Medicine vs Eastern Medicine
Conventional Medicine Homeopathic Medicine
Faith Healing
Holistic Medicine
Chiropractic
Acupuncture
Acupressure / Shiatsu
Shamans
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Ethics in the delivery of health care

• Ethics at the workplace
• Use of equipment supplies
• Interactions with patients co-workers
• Professional Comportment
• Bearing - confidence
• Appearance
• Communication Verbal Non-verbal
• Punctuality
• Being dependable

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Ethics in the delivery of health care

• Professional Continuing Education
• Now mandatory
• Increased knowledge
• Professional growth
• Participation at Professional Society meetings
• Attendance
• Giving talks
• Poster Sessions
• Serving on committees
• CSRT, ACERT, ASRT

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ARRT Technologists Code of Ethics (10)

• Principle 1
• Conducts self in a professional manner

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ARRT Technologists Code of Ethics (10)

• Principle 3
• Delivers patient care and service unrestricted by
  concerns of personal attributes or the nature of
  the disease or illness, and without
  discrimination on the basis of sex, race, creed,
  religion, or socio-economic status.

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ARRT Technologists Code of Ethics (10)

• Principle 6
• Acts as an agent through observation and
  communication to obtain pertinent information for
  the physician to aid in the diagnosis and
  treatment of the patient.

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ARRT Technologists Code of Ethics (10)

• Principle 7
• Demonstrates expertise in minimizing radiation
  exposure to the patient, self and other members
  of the health care team.

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ARRT Technologists Code of Ethics (10)

• Principle 10
• Strives to improve knowledge and skills by
  participating in continuing education and
  professional activities.

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AHA Patients Bill of Rights (12)

• Right 1
• The patient has the right to considerate and
  respectful care.

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AHA Patients Bill of Rights (12)

• Right 2
• The patient has the right to be well informed
  about their illness, possible treatments, and
  likely outcome. The patient has the right to
  know the names and roles of the people treating
  them.

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AHA Patients Bill of Rights (12)

• Right 3
• The patient has the right to consent to or refuse
  a treatment as permitted by law. If a patient
  refuses a recommended treatment they will receive
  other needed and available care.

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AHA Patients Bill of Rights (12)

• Right 5
• The patient has the right to privacy.

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AHA Patients Bill of Rights (12)

• Right 6
• The patient has the right to expect that
  treatment records are confidential unless the
  patient has given permission to release that
  information.

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AHA Patients Bill of Rights (12)

• Right 7
• The patient has the right to review their medical
  record and to have the information explained,
  except where restricted by law.

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AHA Patients Bill of Rights (12)

• Right 8
• The patient has the right to expect that the
  hospital will provide necessary health services
  to the best of its ability.

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AHA Patients Bill of Rights (12)

• Right 9
• The patient has the right to know if this
  hospital has relationships with outside parties
  that may influence your treatment and care.

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AHA Patients Bill of Rights (12)

• Right 10
• The patient has the right to consent or decline
  to take part in research affecting your care.

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AHA Patients Bill of Rights (12)

• Right 11
• The patient has the right to be told of realistic
  care alternatives when hospital care is no longer
  appropriate.

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AHA Patients Bill of Rights (12)

• Right 12
• The patient has the right to know hospital rules
  that will affect them and their treatment, and
  about charges and payment methods.

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Bioethics

• Branch of ethics dealing with the ethical
  problems arising from scientific advances, esp.
  in biology and medicine.
• Relatively new discipline
• Accepted in health care
• Gives rise to Bioethical Dilemmas

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Bioethical Dilemma

• Situation requiring moral judgement between two
  or more equally problem-fraught alternatives
  there are two or more competing moral norms
  present, creating a challenge about what to do
• There isnt any one right thing to do

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Examples of Bioethical Dilemmas

• Code Blue
• Full code, Slow code, No code
• DNR order
• Euthanasia (Mercy Killing, Right to die)
• Abortion
• Organ transplantation
• When to harvest organs definition of death
• Priority in assigning organs
• Animal organs

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Examples of Bioethical Dilemmas

• Triaging of patients
• HIV Positive Patient
• Artificial Insemination
• Cryonics/cryogenics
• Genetic engineering
• Others?

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Bioethical Dilemmas

• As technological advancements continue to be
  made more Bioethical Dilemmas will be
  experienced in many aspects of private and
  professional life.
• The radiographer must think about how you will
  respond to these issues before you are confronted
  by them.

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In Summary

• Ethical principles are an important part of your
  professional life as a radiographer.
• There are many components to Professional Ethics
• In most cases there are no completely right or
  wrong answers to ethical dilemmas
• You need to think about, and determine now, how
  you will respond to various bioethical dilemmas
  that you may encounter.