Similarities between the Fields of Healthcare Ethics and Business Ethics - Case Study Example

Running Head: Healthcare and Business Ethics Healthcare and Business Ethics Name: Institution: Date of Submission: Introduction By definition, ethics refers to set of codes of conduct acceptable as right and do not harm sentient creatures. As such, healthcare ethics refers to a general system of moral principles applied in healthcare centers and applicable to values and judgments practiced in the entire field of medicine. As a scholarly discipline, the field of healthcare ethics entails the general application of principles and values as well as work on its history of ethics. Furthermore, it encompasses philosophy, theology, and sociology within corridors of healthcare centers (Armstrong, 2007). On the other hand, business ethics refers to a form of applied principles and codes that examines ethical principles and moral or ethical misconducts that may arise in a business environment. By large extend, it encompasses individual behavior, conducting business, and the entire organization (Bevan, 2008). Contrary to business ethics, healthcare ethics are more precise, strict, and well organized as they deal with human life. Therefore, there is a clear distinction between the two disciplines and thus a great difference. Healthcare Ethics Healthcare ethics puts more emphasis on relationships, collaborative care, and upholding human dignity. Although there is no much difference between medical ethics and healthcare ethics, the later focus much on caring for the patient by examining the relationship between nurses, care givers, and patients. The former focuses mostly on curing a patient. Healthcare ethics reflect at the obligation to respect patient’s rights as stipulated in Human Rights Act and respect the human dignity as well. The underlying principles behind healthcare ethics include concerns such as beneficence and justice. For example, a concern aimed at promoting justice and beneficence may be expressed in traditional healthcare ethics by the exercise of paternalism. This refers to a situation where the health professional has the responsibility of making decision based upon a perspective of acting according to the best interests of the patient (Biller-Andorno, et al. 2004). A common framework that is very much applicable and efficient in the analysis of healthcare ethics is the "four principles". This approach recognizes four basic moral principles, which individual should not judge or weigh against each of these principles, with attention given to the scope of their application (Biller-Andorno, et al. 2004). Respect for autonomy –this implies that patients enjoy the right to accept or refuse medication and care. Beneficence –healthcare professionals should act in accordance to the patient’s best interest. Non-maleficence –this code of ethic requires healthcare practitioners not to do any harm in the very first place. Justice, fairness, and equality–this encompasses distribution of healthcare services in a free, fair, and just manner. That is, without any bias or favor. Other codes of practice in healthcare ethics include the following; Respect for persons –this demands that the healthcare practitioner and the patient have the right for respect and dignity. Truthfulness and honesty –based on the concept of informed consent, this healthcare ethic indicates that the patient should be informed of all the procedures necessary. While these healthcare ethics are great, it is clear that they need more concern and keen observation than business ethics. This is because most organizations may act in unscrupulous business activities to maximize their profits without looking into good business ethics observation. However, most business organizations understand that good business ethics are crucial for every business to succeed. However, putting money first is the deciding factor. Organizations are in the rush to make more money while breaking business ethical laws. Consequently, many major global brands experience fines in billions of money for failing to adhere to business ethics laws. With the discipline of healthcare, any non-adherence to ethics may result to loss of lives or worsening the situation of a patient (Godkin D. and Markwell, 2003). Furthermore, business ethics are so much dependent on various factors such as business policies, organizational structure, institutional behavior, and culture. It also depends on the standards applicable to social systems and the organization producing and distributing goods and services. Of much importance to note also is the fact that globalization and multinationals affect the effectiveness of business ethics as business laws may vary from one country to another. In the case of healthcare ethics, the laws and applications are equal across various countries. That is to say that, organization’s ability to operate in many foreign countries brings in a new set of dilemmas in business ethics. Activities such as escaping environmental regulations, poor observation of labor laws, shifting raw materials and goods to avoid taxes, different moral codes in various countries e.g. child labor and bribery, and transferring technology to developing countries when they are not ready to assimilate such technologies (Cory, 2004). However, managers utilize a crucial theory known as ethical relativism to encounter different cultures that come with different moral codes and standards (Watson, 2003). Ethical relativism is a theory that posits that there are no ethical standards and codes deemed absolutely binding to be applied to organizations or people from any specific society. The theory argues that something right for organizations or people in one particular society means it is in accordance to their cultural codes and standards and id likely to be something wrong in other societies with different moral standards.However, in line with business ethics, ethical relativism theory seem incoherent as it opposes practices of other societies yet such practices as child slaver, apartheid, would be conforming to the society’s moral standards (Duska, 2007). Contrary to healthcare ethics, business managers have their companies as the most important obligation. Critically thinking, this idea justifies a manager’s illegal conduct or any other unethical activities. Additionally, business ethics face limitations of obeying the law since morality and laws do not march together and laws has nothing concerning morality. It is also true to argue that both healthcare ethics and business ethics apply to all human activities and therefore, there is no reason to exempt healthcare facilities and business activities from ethical scrutiny. In addition, people and organization value ethics and moral behavior, punish non-compliance, and reward compliance to ethics. Customers will shy away from unethical companies employees will develop absenteeism, low productivity, high turnover, and demand high wages when the organization’s decisions are not fair and just (Frederic, 2002). Healthcare ethics is a more specialized branch of the field of study known as bioethics. Healthcare ethics deals with ethical issues that arise in the healthcare setting. As discussed above, some of the more significant subjects in healthcare ethics are the moral traditions and directives of healthcare workers, the relationship between healthcare workers and patients, the rights and responsibilities of patients, access to healthcare, and the allocation of resources aimed at facilitating healthcare (Lakhan S., et al., 2009). One of the most interesting similarities between the fields of healthcare ethics and business ethics is their relatively recent emergence. A wide array of scholarly writings and essays dating from ancient times exist on ethics in both business and medicine. The writings and traditions of medicine, in particular, have a rich and extensive grounding in ethics. However, it is only within the past 40 years that both business ethics and bioethics have become distinct academic disciplines, which also correspond to wider social movements designed to reshape their respective practices (Mattick & Bligh, 2006). Although it is difficult to determine precisely when they came into being, historians and bioethicists date the birth of bioethics to to 1962, when a Seattle hospital faced the problem of allocating a scarce life‐saving medical treatment. Business ethics is a newer field and has no such defining moment in the field. Finally, business ethics contains two distinctive dimensions as normative and descriptive dimensions. As a corporate practice and a career specialization, the field of business ethics seems more normative. Academics and managements attempting to understand business behavior take into consideration the use of descriptive methods to have successful results. The range and quantity of business ethical issues reflects the interaction of behavior aimed at maximizing profits with non-economic concerns (Salinger, 2005). Interest in business ethics accelerated dramatically during the 1980s and 1990s, both within major corporations and within academia. For example, today most major corporations promote their commitment to non-economic values under headings such as ethics codes and social responsibility charters. Most corporations spend a lot of money on research for important business ethics issues within their organizations. This is because, basing a business on good business ethics will result into a great success, employee retention, customer satisfaction, and good public reputation. Good business ethics such being trustful, being respectful, becoming community involved, and meeting obligations is quite important for organization to meet their desired goals and objectives while maintaining societal moral values and standards. On the other hand, evidence has it that healthcare ethics are not efficient in some countries as well. The fundamental question on the ineffectiveness of healthcare ethics is distributive justice. One way to phrase the question is to ask if there is such a thing as a right to health care. In fundamental human rights, right to healthcare does not appear anywhere. However, if such a right exists, it differs fundamentally from traditionally acknowledged human rights such as rights of free speech or religion. Such rights, known as "liberty" or "negative" rights, protect individuals from interference in the exercise of personal activities, but a right to health care is a "positive" or an "entitlement" right that would be of much importance if imposed. Enforcement of rights is necessarily limited by a society's willingness and ability to provide the enforcement of the right. In other words, they depend on a society's resources and the choices it makes about how those resources are used. Conclusion In every society, ethics are the building block and thus should be the basis of our corporations and organizations. A society built on moral and ethical foundations coupled with good business ethics becomes a moral society. Business ethics comprises principles and standards that guide individual employees and organizational behavior in the world of business. Stakeholders determine these conventions, and they are subject to change over time. The most basic of these standards have been codified as laws and regulations. Business ethics do not just entail legal issues but goes beyond legal issues to moral issues. There are so many ethical dilemmas in healthcare centers. An ethical dilemma is a conflict between two obligations. At times, a healthcare worker may have an obligation to a patient that conflicts with his or her obligation to the employing facility or some other person within the department. Sometimes it becomes quite difficult to make a decision or choice without sacrificing the other. This is a dilemma. Health Care today has an abundance of ethical dilemmas such as assisted suicide, late term abortion, end of life decisions, and balancing for-profit health care delivery systems with humane and high quality patient care. However, the difference between business ethics and healthcare ethics are so evident that they can never be the same. The difference is that healthcare ethics are clear, must be adhered to, and well defined as compared to business ethics. Reference Armstrong, A. (2007). Nursing Ethics: A Virtue-Based Approach. Palgrave Macmillan Bertram, B. (2003). The moral development of health care professionals: rational decision-making in health care ethics. Westport, Conn.: Praeger, Bevan, D. (2008).Philosophy: A Grounded Theory Approach and the Emergence of Convenient and Inconvenient Ethics. Cutting Edge Issues in Business Ethics M. Painter-Morland and P. Werhane. Boston, Springer. 24: 131–152 Biller-Andorno N., et al. 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