Introduction
This part begins with a set of fundamental ethical principles that have found general international acceptance. Next is a brief list of general principles of informatics ethics that follow from these fundamental ethical principles when these are applied to the electronic gathering, processing, storing, communicating, using, manipulating and accessing of health information in general. These general principles of informatics ethics are high-level principles and provide general guidance. The general principles include: Principle of Autonomy, Equality and Justice, Beneficence, Non-Malfeasance, Impossibility and Integrity. The General Principles of Informatics Ethics include: Principle of Information-Privacy and Disposition, Openness, Security, Access, Legitimate Infringement, Least Intrusive Alternative and Accountability.
Rules of Ethical Conduct for HIPs
This part lays out a detailed set of ethical rules of behavior for HIPs. These rules are developed by applying the general principles of informatics ethics to the types of relationships that characterize the professional lives of HIPs. The rules of ethical conduct for HIPs can be broken down into six general rubrics, each of which has various sub-sections. The general rubrics demarcate the different domains of the ethical relationships that obtain between HIPs and specific stakeholders; the sub-sections detail the specifics of these relationships. Subject-centered duties are duties that derive from the relationship in which HIPs stand to the subjects of the electronic records or to the subjects of the electronic communications that are facilitated by the HIPs through their professional actions, duties towards institutions/employers, duties towards society, Self-regarding duties, duties towards the profession.
The code of ethics is necessary within this industry or field of Health Information Professionals because Codes of professional ethics serve several purposes. It provides ethical guidance for the professionals themselves, furnish a set of principles against which the conduct of the professionals may be measured, and provides the public with a clear statement of the ethical considerations that should shape the behavior of the professionals themselves. The Code of ethics inspires guides, educates and disciplines the members.
Discuss any strengths or weakness with the code of ethics
Strengths
- The Code of Ethics serves as a planning tool.
- It functions as the basis of decisions.
- A Code of Ethics provides a tool in effecting a resolution when conflicting roles and constraints collide.
- A Code may even assist in the resolution of the problems posed by the technological imperative.
- A Code of Ethics assists in defining the ethical landscape.
- There is a general consensus that the observance of clear ethical standards is a crucial component in gaining and retaining public support.
Weakness
- The Code of Ethics is not flexible to the changing environment
- The Code is not always followed and standards are not always met.
- Rule breakers emerge
- The employees become routine in their jobs and chances of innovation are very low.
- The most glaring weakness is framing of inappropriate code of ethics and inconsistency evident in the practices used.
Discuss how individual’s professional conduct is guided or not guided by the code of ethics
Every field and corporations have their own code of ethics and it forms a guide for the conduct of the professional. Moreover, since the field of informatics is in a state of constant flux, it should be flexible so as to accommodate ongoing changes without sacrificing the applicability of its basic principles. The various parties include patients, health care professionals, administrative personnel, health care institutions as well as insurance companies and governmental agencies, etc. The reason for constructing a code of ethics for Health Informatics Professionals (HIPs) instead of merely adopting one of the codes that have been promulgated by the various general associations of informatics professionals is that HIPs play a unique role in the planning and delivery of health care: a role that is distinct from the role of other informatics professionals who work in different settings. This custom built code of ethics will be very much helpful and guide the individual professional to perform his tasks in a more efficient manner. At the same time, precisely because of this facilitating role, HIPs are embedded in a web of relationships that are subject to unique ethical constraints. Thus, over and above the ethical constraints that arise from the relationship between the electronic record and the patient, the ethical conduct of HIPs is also subject to considerations that arise out of the HIPs’ interactions with Health Care Professionals (HCPs), health care institutions and other agencies. These constraints pull in different directions. It is therefore important that HIPs have some idea of how to resolve these issues in an appropriate fashion. A Code of Ethics for HIPs provides a tool in this regard, and may be of use in effecting a resolution when conflicting roles and constraints collide.
Discuss how you can use the code of ethics in your professional life
Code of Ethics can be practiced in the following ways in professional life:
- Practice profession with integrity, honesty, truthfulness and adherence to the absolute obligation to safeguard the public trust;
- Act according to the highest standards and visions of their organization, profession and conscience;
- Put philanthropic mission above personal gain;
- Inspire others through own sense of dedication and high purpose;
- Improve professional knowledge and skills, so that their performance will better serve others;
- Demonstrate concern for the interests and well being of individuals affected by code’s actions;
- Value the privacy, freedom of choice and interests of all those affected by code’s actions;
- Foster cultural diversity and pluralistic values, and treat all people with dignity and respect;
- Affirm, through personal giving, a commitment to philanthropy and its role in society;
- Adhere to the spirit as well as the letter of all applicable laws and regulations;
- Advocate within the organizations, adherence to all applicable laws and regulations;
- Avoid even the appearance of any criminal offense or professional misconduct;
- Bring credit to the fundraising profession by public demeanor;
- Encourage colleagues to embrace and practice these ethical principles and standards of professional practice;
- Be aware of the codes of ethics promulgated by other professional organizations that serve philanthropy.
References
The American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) Web.
FX. Web.
The Meaning of Life Is Not Here. Web.