Consequentialism, a well-known theory of the right, suggests that the consequences of an action determine whether that action is considered as good or bad (Seedhouse, 1998). However, the consequentialist theory leaves no room for special circumstances and ultimately leads to alienation. It is for this reason that deontology proves to be not necessarily right, yet one of the most compelling and interesting theories.
Deontology
Deontology is a theory of the right, which suggests that people have an obligation and a duty to behave in a specific way towards others, whatever the consequences (Seedhouse, 1998). In other words, rules must be followed at all times. For example, in Case 109, the counsellor has an ethical obligation to uphold the client’s confidentiality with the highest degree of integrity. The counsellor also has a duty to protect their client from any harm. Although deontology seems to be geared toward the rights of the people, it ultimately will also be inclined to harm and take away from the rights of the people (Dunn, 1999). Deontology also allows a person to adhere to their personal moral rules (Campbell, Gillett and Jones, 1992). For instance given the minor age of the client in Case 109, the counsellor might decide that the client’s father has a right to know that his son is alright or not. This will possibly lead to the rights of the client being destroyed unintentionally which will make deontology ultimately insufficient.
In summary, utilitarianism’s reliance on consequence and Kant’s on intention is where both theories find their major downfall, because both must be taken into consideration. One needs to approach each situation with caution and empathy and use the best-felt judgment when faced with tough choices, while keeping in mind that there are things that are wrong and right which are usually innate to everyone (Dunn, 1999).
VIDe Decision Making Software
The future of the health professions is computational (Goodman, 1998). With the advancement of the VIDe software in New Zealand, it would seem that the standard of care for information, decision-making, and processing is changing fast. VIDe was developed to help medical staff and health practitioners decide on issues which invariably involve value systems and subjective judgments (Gregory, 2002, as cited in The New Zealand Herald).
Strengths and Weaknesses
I found the VIDe software to be very user friendly and self explaining. It was easy to access the different areas of the program, and engage in reflective decision making processes. The visual aspects (with colour) definitely put it into context, as well as the use of simple language that allowed me to make the decisions to highlight my thoughts. I found it helpful in understanding the case studies, because I could see the different outcomes of the decisions I made. The fact that each one of those could be substantiated with some kind of basis in theory, it was helpful in getting me to understand why certain decisions were made in the situation. Unlike some of the traditional ethical theories, the program also gave me the freedom to express my own personal feelings and emotions, which I think was very useful in validating my judgments.
Other strengths of the VIDe software are that it can create extensive database which allows comparisons to be made with other similar cases in order to examine decision-making trends. The benefit of using the software provides an audit trail to track when things go wrong (Sarney 2000). Furthermore, the software can deliver instant reports on the preferences of hundreds of people in numerous locations reviewing the same case, with instant feedback gathered (Gregory, 2002).
One limitation with VIDe, is that it made me feel uncomfortable with the disclosure of my analysis information on completion of the case studies, as I felt it lacked privacy. However, I came to realize that this software was an open learning and sharing of many thoughts, and that there were no right or wrong answers. There were certain areas where I felt I misunderstood what the questions were asking, even though other options were given. It would have been helpful to have a “pop up” box for me to go to and ask for clarification.
In my opinion, the VIDe software is an exceptional tool for my future practice in psychology. I recommend this software and believe it will serve all health providers and some non-health organisations. I believe this software program will be very useful and will continue to increase as computers are improved, as users become more sophisticated, and as socioeconomic factors demand such an increase. The use of VIDe in clinical practice will offer ever-increasing promise for improving patient care in a broad variety of settings.
Conclusion:
Human beings are ethical creatures. Every day we make scores of ethical decisions, mainly on matters of small practical importance. The basic statement of the natural moral law is: Do good and avoid evil (Dunn, 1999). But what is “good”?
This essay raises multiple questions on the use of traditional ethical approaches and the more modern software, VIDe. Although both methods have significant importance in the way people or society makes ethical decisions, my impression of these theories, is that ethics are made up of many different approaches – each asking a different set of questions and therefore getting different answers. It is complex – it is diverse – it is controversial – it is necessary.
REERENCES
Campbell, A.V. & Higgs, R. (1982). Medical ethics in everyday practice. London: Darton,
Longman and Todd.
Campbell, A.; Gillett, G. & Jones, G. (1992). Practical medical ethics. Auckland: Oxford
University Press.
Dunn, H.P. (1999). Ethics for doctors, nurses, and patients. New York: Alba House.
Goodman, K.W. (1998). Ethics, computing, and medicine: informatics and the transformation of healthcare. Cambridge: University Press
Gregory, A. (2002). Software offers key to ethical dilemmas. New Zealand Herald. Retrieved September 19, 2005, from
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/category/story.cfm?c_id=55&objectid=2997818
Sarney, E. (2000). Shot in the arm for those with health concerns. New Zealand Herald.
Retrieved September 19, 2005, from
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/category/story.cfm?c_id=74&objectid=146090
