As an Instructor in the Massage Therapy Program we are very focused on teaching ethics within our profession. It is very important in this field to admit you are human and vulnerable to unethical behavior. None of us THINK we will make an unethical choice, but the reality is that many of us will find ourselves with an ethical dilema at some point in our carreers. The main culprits of unethical behavior are:
Some other factors which spur from the three listed above are:
- the need to feel loved
- lack of assertiveness
- the need to be right
- unexamined personal issues
As professionals, we need to make the conscious choice and commitment to be ethical. Our credo of "Do no harm" is also followed by "Do only positive good". We must place our client's well being above our own personal gain. But ethics aren't always black and white, there are many shades of gray.
Our profession has a strict Code Of Ethics to help guide us on our journey. There are times when the course of action is not that clear. No matter what you chose some party is likely to be injured, or there is a choice between two treatment options, each with positive and negative outcomes.
For these questions we refer to an Ethical Decision Making Model:
Ethical decision-making model
1. Define the ethical question or dilemma
2. Determine if it is also a legal issue
3. Identify the values, rights, duties, standards that apply
4. List people who might be affected
5. List alternative courses of action
6. Identify most important considerations
7. Identify personal motivations and interests in the outcome
8. Consider advice from others
9. Select the best course of action
a. Maintains the highest values
b. Results in greatest good or least harm
10. Evaluate the consequences and learn from experience
