Question

What ethical issues might be faced by a counselor working in a hospice setting?

Answer 1

Working as a counsellor in a hospice setting can be very challenging as it would have to deal with people that are going through various things both emotionally and physically that we could never relate too. Some of the major issues faced are:

1. Right to their own decisions and independance.

Sometimes the patients may feel differently about certain situations and decisions than the counsellor. It is the job of the counsellor to just be a support to their patients. For example if they want to choose euthansia they must be given the freedom to do so and not be changed otherwise.

2. Confidentiality

This area must be practiced with any sort of counselling. The patient confidentiality must be kept at its highest.They must ensure that the patients interest are always kept as the first priority in any decision being made.

3. Difference in morals and values vary between all individuals

Generally no two people would have the same morals and values. In situations like this the counsellor could come across confronting situations where they are uncomfortable. In cases like this they are to put the patients priorities and situations as theirs as well.

4. Administrative problems

Things like resources and other factors wouldbe considered as well and they should be handled sepsrately as the patient. This could alot of wmotional problems and make things complicated.