Ethics Resources

What is ethics in health and supportive care settings?

Ethics involves helping clients, families, and those who work in health and supportive care settings when they are facing difficult moral or value-based choices about the right or best course of action. The goal of discussing ethical issues is not to impose values on others, but to help individuals and groups in solving complex problems so they are able to make informed decisions about treatment or care.

Topics in health and supportive care that might present an ethical challenge could include:

• Value differences and conflicts
• Wait-list concerns
• End-of-life decision-making
• Limitations on a person’s autonomy or health-decisions
• Allocation of resources

What is an ‘Ethicist’ and how can they help me?

All Canadian Mental Health Association Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge (CMHA HKPR) clients, families, staff and volunteers have access to an external Ethicist. The Ethicist is a resource person with advanced training in ethics, who can help clarify ethical issues, offer different perspectives, review options, and assist clients, families, and care teams with decision-making.

What will the Ethicist do?

• Provide confidential consultation
• Ensure all relevant facts, values and options are explored
• Help people understand and explore available treatment or care options
• Identify and provide information to help people make decisions about ethical issues
• Mediate to assist individuals and/or groups when there is a difference of opinion about a particular client-care situation
• Provide education to clients, families, and professionals on ethical issues that may arise

Are there any other resources available to help me make a decision?

At CMHA HKPR, we have an Integrated Ethics Framework to assist clients, families, staff and volunteers make ethical decisions, and deal with difficult ethical dilemmas. To access our Integrated Ethics Framework, click here.

If you would like to speak with the CMHA HKPR Ethicist, e-mail: ethics@cmhahkpr.ca