Choose to be Curious Ep. #51: Curiosity and Ethics Consultation, with Dr. Ellen Fox
Apr 3, 2018
Dr. Ellen Fox, a healthcare ethicist and chief architect of the Veterans Administration's integrated ethics model, shares her insights on navigating ethical dilemmas in healthcare. She emphasizes the vital role of curiosity in decision-making, particularly when faced with sensitive issues like elder care. Ellen discusses how effective communication between medical professionals and families can align healthcare decisions with patient goals. Plus, she creatively likens curiosity to potato chips, showing its importance in understanding complex ethical landscapes.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Ethics Is About Conflicting Values
- Ethical issues arise when there are conflicts about values that matter to people.
- Ethics involves resolving what should be done amidst those conflicting values.
Family Care Ethical Dilemma
- Deciding whether an elderly parent with dementia should stay at home or move to a nursing home involves conflicting values.
- The family may value the parent's care but also their own ability to manage, creating an ethical dilemma.
Healthcare Ethics Is Practical
- Healthcare ethics is practical and multidisciplinary, often involving professionals like doctors, nurses, and social workers.
- It focuses on real-world decisions, not just philosophical theory.