Question

What traits and characteristics of a health care leader and/or manager are important in the steps of ethical decision-making? Why?

Answer 1

Ethical decision is taken in a difficult situation using moral thinking for greater good.

LEADERS should have good ethical decision making skills to prove his commitment towards his profession.

The six steps in ethical decision making are listed below:

1. ESTABLISH THE FACTS IN A SITUATION

2. DECIDE WHETHER THE SITUATION INVOLVES LEGAL OR ETHICAL ISSUES

3. IDENTIFY OPTIONS AND POSSIBLE CONSEQUENCES

4. EVALUATE OPTIONS

5. CHOOSE THE BEST OPTION

6. IMPLEMENT DECISION

TRAITS of a GOOD LEADER in ethical decision making are:

• ?Honest : This brings trust which is very imporatant in ethical decisions. When the leader is straightforward even at difficult times he can overcome any hurdle .
• Commitment : If the leader is committed to his profession , he will do right thing in deciding at any cost .
• Responsibility: When a leader can practice good ethical decisions knowing that he is responsible and accountable for his deeds even when he knows it may lead to praise or punishment , blame or reward , exercising his duty makes him a good role model to others.
• Competency: A healthcare leader knowing to differentiate potential risks and consequences when he does an decision is an excellent characteristic of him. He thinks that who gets affected by his ethical decision and who is benefitted ,then he is competent to be a great leader.
• Encouragement:Being a good ethical decision making ability he can influence his co workers and indirectly encourage them to act good in critical times to the patient and others.
• Respect: Respect others decicions in ethical issues and help them in improving the decision making if not appropriate. Think and act . Treat others in a way that you want to be treated.
• Patience:A health care leader should be calm , so that he can take an appropriate decision which has less consequences .
• Monitoring : Keep on monitoring their ethical decisions in different situations help them to become well versed and doesnot affect the patient or other healthcare workers .