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A Quick Guide to Ethical Theory in Healthcare: Solving Ethical Dilemmas in Nutrition Support Situations
Author(s) -
Ferrie Suzie
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
nutrition in clinical practice
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.725
H-Index - 71
eISSN - 1941-2452
pISSN - 0884-5336
DOI - 10.1177/0115426506021002113
Subject(s) - medicine , engineering ethics , ethical theories , health care , ethical issues , ethical theory , management science , epistemology , law , philosophy , political science , engineering , economics
Ethical dilemmas can be challenging for the nutrition support clinician who is accustomed to evidence‐based practice. The emotional and personal nature of ethical decision making can present difficulties, and conflict can arise when people have different ethical perspectives. An understanding of ethical terms and ethical theories can be helpful in clarifying the source of this conflict. These may include prominent ethical theories such as moral relativism, utilitarianism, Kantian absolutism, Aristotle's virtue ethics and ethics of care, as well as the key ethical principles in healthcare (autonomy, beneficence, nonmaleficence, and justice). Adopting a step‐by‐step approach can simplify the process of resolving ethical problems.