Healthcare Virtue and Values Research Paper

Introduction

The study attempts to differentiate healthcare virtues from healthcare values. The virtue related to anyone refers to a person’s ‘positive quality’ based on his/her moral wellbeing, where as, value, refers to the effects brought by the individual’s behavior. Healthcare virtues have broad dimensions in the modern context. “Virtue is normally defined as some sort of moral excellence or beneficial quality. In traditional ethics, virtues are those characteristics that differentiate good people from bad people. Virtues, such as honesty and justice, are abstract moral principles. Properly understood, virtues serve as indispensable guides to our actions” (Pozgar, 2009, p. 246). One cannot place one above the other. Virtues indicate the qualities possessed by genuine people. But, at the same time, values are normally the set principles, societies or human beings cling to.

Characteristics of Virtues and Values

Virtues

1. It is the dispositional aspect of character.
2. It is attained by itself.
3. It involves a mixture of emotion and decision made by the individual.
4. It is essential for a good life.
5. It is relevant in active human life.
6. It serves a sense of purpose in life.

Values

1. Its meaning is not clearly interpreted.
2. It is more a concept than a definition.
3. It is helpful in the needs of the individual.
4. It brings safety, constancy, orderliness and even respect.
5. They are flexible.
6. Its evaluation is based on ones experience in life.

Human character is complex in nature, and wide research has been conducted on the topic. It is the constant and unique trait in the life of an individual; it decides human response to situations and circumstances. Virtues concern particular actions or emotions. One understands the meaning of calm behavior very well, in contrast with anger. An individual with a cool behavior acts in accordance’s with the situation. As value is directly related to human character, it varies from individual to individual. An angry individual reacts offensively even if the situation doesn’t demand anger. Being virtuous means that one is perfectly guided by the moral regulations or ethical principles upheld by the society in which the individual resides. “A prudent professional is capable of exercising sound judgment within the framework of being cautious and discrete and deliberately reflecting on what moral action take, understanding the consequences of the choices made, and doing what is right. A prudent professional acts with care and wisdom and gives due consideration to the feelings and perceptions of other” (Moss et al. 2003, p. 100). Values are achieved through education, prizes and impersonal experience. One recent theory recommends that moral knowledge and values are achieved much in the same way as any other type of content knowledge, in the course of experience in real world. Individuals in primitive societies had used core values, connected with their respective societies.

Any ethical dilemma comes out on occasions when one has to make a definite choice between unpleasant sufferings and a good course of action. The knowledge of ethical dilemma and an understanding of the situation in which it arises, play an important role in the processes of giving healthcare. A complete solution is not always possible as the answers to the problem are conflicting. On such occasions, the best possible method is to consult the client, with sound ethical values and virtues. “Nurses may still not be individually satisfied with the resolution; in this case, they need to examine why they’re unsatisfied, and consider the possibility of taking follow-up action. If a mutually agreeable resolution cannot be found, it may be necessary to reanalyze the situation. If a resolution still cannot be reached, there will at least be a greater understanding. As with other aspects of care, it is necessary to document the discussions and decisions” (College of Nurses of Ontario, 2009).

Professional Ethics in Nursing Profession

Public healthcare deals with the healthcare of the whole population and not the health of individuals only. Since the previous century, nurses have played a very important role in the lives of many patients battling with life. The professional ethics involved in nursing sometimes decides the life span of a patient, when the illness is related to some complication in the body. The employer can not determine responsibilities, virtues and values needed for nursing profession. The effects of the lifestyle of the nurse, capability to think and react to the needs of the patients come under the ethical code in nursing.

Virtue is a pattern of thinking and the manner of the person, based on high ethical standards. All human beings have their own core of underlying values that give them methods of viewpoints, thoughts and opinions. Value is the organized form in society from which we respond and function.

Conclusion

Virtues and values are inherent in human beings, though it varies in degree. So in this study, thoughts on virtues and values in healthcare are explained with references to nursing profession as it is vital in the healthcare of individuals and the people in general.

Reference List

College of Nurses of Ontario (2009). About the College of Nurses of Ontario. Web.

Moss et al. (2003). Handbook of Mind-Body Medicine for Primary Care. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications, Inc.

Pozgar, G. D. (2009). Legal Essentials of Health Care Administration. Sudbury, MA: Jones and Bartlett Publishers, LLC.