Continuing Education in Ethical Decision Making Using Case Studies From Medical Social Work

After reviewing and documenting the process, this chapter argues that it is unethical to stop the ethical decision-making process with implementation. The chapter recommends monitoring and evaluating the consequences of the ethical decision by engaging in post-decision activities. It uses two case studies where well-meaning mental health professionals inadvertently created iatrogenic effects for their clients. It details what went wrong in each case and how outcomes might have been improved. In these situations, mental health professionals are strongly encouraged to re-engage the ethical decision-making process on behalf of their clients, including apologizing for missteps previously made.

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Religious and Secular Belief Systems in Social Work: A Survey of Israeli Social Work Professionals

Families in Society The Journal of Contemporary Social Services ◽

10.1606/1044-3894.121 ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 84 (3) ◽

pp. 359-366 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Rujla Osmo ◽

Ruth Landau

Keyword(s):

Decision Making ◽

Social Work ◽

Social Workers ◽

Ethical Decision ◽

Ethical Decision Making ◽

Code Of Ethics ◽

Belief Systems ◽

Belief System ◽

Social Work Practice ◽

The Impact

In this study, the authors examined the impact of religiosity on social workers' ranking of ethical principles. The findings indicate that religiosity may be a distinguishing variable in some, but not all, contexts of ethical decision making in social work practice. The religiosity of religious social workers may influence their ethical decision making in situations with religious connotations. Moreover, religious social workers' ethical hierarchies seem to be more consistent both in different contexts and in comparison to those of secular social workers. The prospect that social workers may be influenced in some situations by a competing code of rules in conflict with the professional code of ethics emphasizes the need for social workers' awareness of their own belief system.

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The need for explicit argumentation in ethical decision-making in social work

Social Work Education ◽

10.1080/02615470120064723 ◽

2001 ◽

Vol 20 (4) ◽

pp. 483-492 ◽

Cited By ~ 30

Author(s):

Rujla Osmo ◽

Ruth Landau

Keyword(s):

Decision Making ◽

Social Work ◽

Ethical Decision ◽

Ethical Decision Making

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Moral Consciousness and Decision-Making in Child and Family Social Work

Adoption & Fostering ◽

10.1177/030857590302700310 ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 27 (3) ◽

pp. 61-70 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Stan Houston

Keyword(s):

Decision Making ◽

Social Work ◽

Moral Philosophy ◽

Ethical Decision ◽

Ethical Decision Making ◽

Moral Consciousness ◽

Case Examples ◽

Placement Decisions ◽

Child Placement ◽

Ethical Decisions

Child and family social work is beset by value dilemmas. In this paper Stan Houston attempts to find a way out of these entanglements by delving into the moral philosophy of Jurgen Habermas. It is argued that Habermas's ideas on moral discourse enable social workers and others involved in a child's life to reach ethical decisions. Towards the end of the paper, the argument is grounded in two case examples centering on child placement decisions. At this juncture it is argued that Habermas's position creates certain problems for ethical decision-making involving children, but that these problems can be assuaged by a range of compensatory actions including advocacy and critical reflection.

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