Speak Out February 2018

Ethics news

Tools to support your ethical decision-making in 2018

Did you know that there is an Ethics Education page on the SPA website? Where is it? Go to the Members tab > Ethics > Ethics Education What does it have? • Information about the Ethics Education Package, • A link to download the hard copy of the package, • A link to the first module of the online ethics education resource, • Four worksheets, one for each decision-making framework contained in the Ethics Education Package, provided as templates to assist you work through an ethical issue or dilemma in your professional practice. Why should I look? When faced with a new or complex or challenging situation it can be difficult to know how to approach decision-making to achieve the best outcome. Using the resources provided to members on this page, you can: • Identify ethical dilemmas as they present in your practice, • Learn about ethical decision-making frameworks that can be applied to different situations, and practice their application within your own decision-making, • Identify the ethical values, principles or standards that are central to a clinical scenario, • Develop strategies to address concerns and identify possible actions to take, • Demonstrate a pro-active approach to ethical behaviour. These resources and tools are available at no cost to members. • Develop your awareness of your professional decision-making,

The resources can be used for self-study or can be used in group discussions, e.g., in a staff meeting.

Reading about the ethical decision-making frameworks and working through exercises in the Ethics Education Package can attract PSR points.

What are the four ethical decision-making frameworks?

Each decision making framework examines ethical decision making from a different approach: • Principles-Based Reasoning Decision Making Protocol: draws on values, principles and standards of practice, • Casuistry: draws upon precedent or test cases, • The Ethics of Care Approach: focus on the willingness of health care professionals to advocate for their clients, • The Narrative Approach: focus upon individual life stories. Detailed information, references, reflective and learning activities are presented on each framework in the Ethics Education Package, available for members to download, or you can access the first online Ethics Education module on our website under the “Ethics” tab. The four decision making frameworks will be explored in the coming editions of Ethics News during 2018, through case studies based on queries received at National Office.

Trish Johnson Senior Advisor, Ethics and Professional Issues

28

February 2018 www.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au

Speak Out