Ethics in the Practice of Speech-Language Pathology in Health Care Settings

ABSTRACT

Ethics refers to a moral philosophy or a set of moral principles that determine appropriate behavior in a society. Medical ethics includes a set of specific values that are considered in determining appropriate conduct in the practice of medicine or health care. Because the practice of medicine and medical speech-language pathology affects the health, well-being, and quality of life of individuals served, adherence to a code of ethical conduct is critically important in the health care environment. When ethical dilemmas arise, consultation with a bioethics committee can be helpful in determining the best course of action. This article will help to define medical ethics and to discuss the six basic values that are commonly considered in discussions of medical ethics. Common ethical mistakes in the practice of speech-language pathology will be described. Finally, the value of a bioethics consultation for help in resolving complex ethical issues will be discussed.

Ethics - medical ethics - code of ethics

REFERENCES

• 1 The Hastings Center Report. Available at: http://www.thehastingscenter.org/Publications/HCR/Default.aspx Accessed: October 10, 2011
• 2 American Medical Association (AMA) .Code of ethics. Available at: http://www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/physician-resources/medical-ethics/code-medical-ethics/history-ama-ethics.page? Accessed: October 10, 2011
• 3 American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA) .Code of ethics [Ethics]. Available at: http://www.asha.org/docs/html/ET2010-00309.html Accessed: October 10, 2011
• 4 Miller T. Professional ethics. In: Lubinski R, Golper L A, Frattali C, eds. Professional Issues in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology. 3rd ed. Clifton Park, NY: Thomson Delmar Learning; 2007: 87-105
• 5 Hale S. Ethics, evidence, and an expanding scope of practice. Available at: http://www.speechpathology.com/articles/ethics-evidence-expanding-scope-practice-1164 Accessed: October 10, 2011
• 6 Jonsen A, Seigler M, Winslade W. Clinical Ethics: A Practical Approach to Ethical Decisions in Clinical Medicine. 6th ed. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill; 2006
• 7 Beauchamp T L, Childress J F. Principles of Biomedical Ethics. New York, NY: Oxford University Press; 2001
• 8 Moore L, Kirk S. A literature review of children's and young people's participation in decisions relating to health care.  J Clin Nurs. 2010;  19 2215-2225
• 9 Alderson P, Sutcliffe K, Curtis K. Children as partners with adults in their medical care.  Arch Dis Child. 2006;  91 300-303
• 10 Ford K, Sankey J, Crisp J. Development of children's assent documents using a child-centred approach.  J Child Health Care. 2007;  11 19-28
• 11 Miller V A, Drotar D, Kodish E. Children's competence for assent and consent: a review of empirical findings.  Ethics Behav. 2004;  14 255-295
• 12 Silber T, Batshaw M L. Ethical dilemmas in the treatment of children with disabilities.  Pediatr Ann. 2004;  33 752-761
• 13 Hostler S L. Family-centered care.  Pediatr Clin North Am. 1991;  38 1545-1560
• 14 Pinnock R, Crosthwaite J. When parents refuse consent to treatment for children and young persons.  J Paediatr Child Health. 2005;  41 369-373
• 15 Clark P A. Building a policy in pediatrics for medical futility.  Pediatr Nurs. 2001;  27 180-184
• 16 Drane J F, Coulehan J L. The concept of futility. Patients do not have a right to demand medically useless treatment. Counterpoint.  Health Prog. 1993;  74 28-32
• 17 Schneiderman L J, Jecker N S, Jonsen A R. Medical futility: its meaning and ethical implications.  Ann Intern Med. 1990;  112 949-954
• 18 American Speech-Language-Hearing Association .Representation of services for insurance reimbursement, funding, or private payment [Issues in Ethics]. Available at: http://www.asha.org/docs/html/ET2010-00314.html Accessed: October 10, 2011