Professional Ethics1

SYSTEM OF ETHICSPROBLEM SOLVING AND ETHICAL ANALYSIS

SOURCES OF MORAL JUDGMENTSMORAL DILEMMAS

ETHICS AND RADIOLOGIC TECHNOLOGY

Professional Ethics2

TERMINOLOGY

ARRTEthicsMoralsLawBeneficencemaleficenceCode of ethicsProfessional ethicsLegal rightsMoral rightsValues(value

system)

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Ethics of careSocial contract

SYSTEM OF ETHICS4

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ETHICS-study of moral behavior in humans, systemizing concepts of right and wrong

MORALS

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MORALS- differentiation of intentions, decisions and actions between right and wrong

Problem SolvingProblem Solving Ethical AnalysisEthical Analysis

Identifying the problem

Developing alternative solutions

Selecting the best solution

Defending the selection

PROBLEM SOLVING AND ETHICAL ANALYSIS

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Personal Morals and Ethics

Professional Morals and Ethics

SOURCE OF MORAL JUDGEMENT8

Moral RulesMoral Rules …for the Rad Tech…for the Rad Tech

The Golden RuleThe Ten

CommandmentsSocial contractsQuran5 precepts of

Buddhism

Do no harmProtection , safety

and comfort of patients

ETHICS AND RADIOLOGIC TECHNOLOGY

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Do You Think My Doctor is Doing the Right Thing?

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BOX 22-1 “Do You Think My Doctor Is Doing the Right Thing?”

Mrs. Brown , a 27-year -old patient of Dr . Smith , looks apprehensive as you begin your radiologic procedure

. Mrs. Brown has found a lump in her breast and is worried about the possibility of having to undergo a mastectomy . Your mammographic examination reveals that Mrs . Brown probably has a small fibroid cyst . Mrs. Brown confides to you that Dr

. Smith has mentioned the possibility of surgery . You are also aware that , given a choice , Dr. Smith nearly always operates . As you conclude your procedure , Mrs. Brown asks you whether surgery is indicated , adding, “Do you think my doctor is doing the right thing ?”

Does Mr. Gray Have Cancer?11

BOX 22-2 “Does Mr. Gray Have Cancer ?”

The images you took of Mr . Gray do not look good . As a matter of fact , you overheard Dr. Jones mutter about the “advanced stage” of Mr . Gray's condition . The transporting aide wheels Mr . Gray back to his room and returns with your next patient . The patient slips behind a screen to change into an examination gown and is out of earshot . “Mr . Gray seemed real depressed ,” the aide volunteers . “How did his film look

? Does Mr. Gray have cancer ?” The aide is a good friend of yours and always has seemed committed to good patient care . How do you respond ?

I Think Dr. Jones Misread the Image. 12

BOX 22-3 “I Think Dr . Jones Misread the Image .”

You have just finished a routine radiologic procedure on Mrs . Green . As you process the image

, it becomes clear that Mrs . Green probably has a rare form of bone disease . Dr. Jones, a young resident , glances at the image and smiles . “I didn 't think Mrs . Green had anything to worry about,” he says . “That joint pain she was complaining about must be all in her head .” Later , you see Dr

. Jones talking to Mrs . Green 's family . He is smiling and joking with them as he signs Mrs. Green 's discharge papers . Shaken , you mutter to yourself , “I think Dr . Jones misread the image .” What action , if any, should you take ?

In My Opinion, You’ll Be Just Fine13

You are assisting Dr. Roe with a particularly complicated radiation treatment. Mr. Black has been on the table for nearly an hour and is clearly exhausted. As Dr. Roe leaves the area to respond to a page , Mr. Black groans as you help him off the table into his wheelchair and begins asking questions about his condition. “Is Dr. Roe doing the right thing ? I feel terrible . What do you thin ?” Mr. . Black has acquired a reputation of being somewhat of a hypochondriac. You are aware that Mr. Black is being treated for cancer and has a 50/50 chance of remission. Your initial impulse is to reassure him with a smile and say something such as, “In my opinion, you'll be just fine .”

Do You Think Nurse Smith Is Abusing Drugs?

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BOX 22-5 “Do You Think Nurse Smith Is Abusing Drugs ?”

During your lunch break on the night shift , you decide to visit with Miss White , a patient with whom you have developed a friendship . Miss White 's room is directly across from the nursing station , and she tells you that she has noticed Nurse Smith slipping medications from the drug cart into her pocket. You recall seeing Nurse Smith occasionally swallowing some pills while on duty

, but you had thought little about it up to this point . Because Nurse Smith is the only nurse providing patient care during this shift , you are concerned about the quality of patient care , as well as Nurse Smith 's health. Miss White asks , “Do you think Nurse Smith is abusing drugs

?” You answer , “I hope not .” However , you believe that you must confront Nurse Smith directly . Despite your best efforts to be tactful , Nurse Smith explodes , “What I do on this ward is none of your business !” What do you do next ?

Keep This Matter Between the Two of Us

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BOX 22-6 “Keep This Matter between the Two of Us .”

Your assigned duties in the radiology department of the 1000-bed medical center in which you are employed are far from routine . The operation of the department is complex and at times hectic . Recently the department head authorized a tech check tech system of work management in response to a shortage of staff and a dwindling budget . This situation resulted in the shifting of greater responsibilities onto your shoulders , including random review of image quality . During a monthly review of patients’ examinations , you discover an error was made : A chest procedure was ordered for a patient

, but the examination performed was an abdominal procedure that was ordered for a different patient . You immediately pull both patients’ records and request a meeting with the department head , who, after closely examining both records , cautions , “Look, there is no harm done . Keep this matter between the two of us

.”

The American Registry of Radiologic Technology

1. The radiologic technologist conducts herself or himself in a professional manner, responds to patient needs, and supports colleagues and associates in providing high-quality patient care.2. The radiologic technologist acts to advance the principal objective of the profession to provide services to humanity with full respect for the dignity of mankind.3. The radiologic technologist delivers patient care and service unrestricted by the concerns of personal attributes or the nature of the disease or illness, and without discrimination on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, or socioeconomic status.4. The radiologic technologist practices technology founded on theoretic knowledge and concepts, uses equipment and accessories consistent with the purposes for which they were designed, and employs procedures and techniques appropriately.5. The radiologic technologist assesses situations; exercises care, discretion, and judgment; assumes responsibility for professional decisions; and acts in the best interest of the patient.6. The radiologic technologist acts as an agent through observation and communication to obtain pertinent information for the physician to aid in the diagnosis and treatment of the patient and recognizes that interpretation and diagnosis are outside the scope of practice for the profession.7. The radiologic technologist uses equipment and accessories, employs techniques and procedures, performs services in accordance with an accepted standard of practice, and demonstrates expertise in minimizing radiation exposure to the patient, self, and other members of the health care team.8. The radiologic technologist practices ethical conduct appropriate to the profession and protects the patient's right to high-quality radiologic technology care.9. The radiologic technologist respects confidences entrusted in the course of professional practice, respects the patient's right to privacy, and reveals confidential information only as required by law or to protect the welfare of the individual or the community.10. The radiologic technologist continually strives to improve knowledge and skills by participating in continuing education and professional activities, sharing knowledge with colleagues, and investigating new aspects of professional practice.

MORAL DILEMMAS17