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Discussion Question 1: Ethics vs. Law

Health care professionals practice in an environment that is complex, with many regulations, laws, and standards of practice. Performing an abortion is legal but may not be considered ethical by other health care professionals or members of the public at large. Other ethical dilemmas arise at the end of life, when a decision must be made to turn off life-support machines and allow death to occur. Other common ethical issues a health care professional might face are confidentiality, relationships with patients and matters related to consent, especially in the treatment of minors.

Being an effective leader/manager is essential if a health care organization is to provide high-quality care and succeed financially. All healthcare leaders/managers at all levels of the healthcare organization, which depend on other people for efficient and effective work performance, require leadership ability. The quality of leadership is crucial to how work gets done in a well-managed healthcare organization.

Discuss the following issues:

What are the differences between ethical issues and legal issues?
Describe a scenario in which an issue may be unethical, but legal.
Describe a scenario in which an issue may be ethical, but illegal. Explain your choices.
What traits and characteristics of a health care leader and/or manager are important in the steps of ethical decision-making? Why?