ETHICAL DILEMMA'S
WHAT WOULD YOU DO?
Introduction
We are now held responsible for our own actions, both legally as well as morally & ethically.
The ideal of putting the interest of patient first, initially seeming straight forward, but what happens when the interest of the patient comes into direct conflict of what is legal?
Below are some fictional case studies taken from various sources, some aimed at Pharmacists however some could equally be applied to Pharmacy Technicians. Have a look through decide what course of action you would take, I put the external links so you can see what if other agreed with your opinion.
Thanks to the staff at Medway School of Pharmacy, members of Kent Branch APTUK and Johnathan Laird from Pharmacy in Practice for their ideas.
The Dilemmas
A Case of Sexual Harassment or just a joke
It’s a Tuesday afternoon. Holly has just made the coffee for the team and Tony makes a comment upon her return.
He said: “I hired you for your skills in the kitchen. Holly you are the best trained technician for miles around.”
Holly laughed the comment off and the team enjoyed their afternoon coffee.
If you were Holly would you find this behavior acceptable?
Would your opinion change if you were another member of staff and overheard this exchange.
Part 2
HOLLY was putting away the dispensary order. Tony makes a comment.
He says: “I can’t get any work done. You are so distracting Holly. How on earth did you become so good looking?”
Would your opinion change from above?
IT’S Friday evening and it has been pouring with rain all day and the pharmacy has been extremely busy. Tony kindly offers Holly a lift home and she agrees because the other dispenser Jess is coming too.
They all get in the car and chat about the day. Everyone is in good spirits. Tony leaves Jess off home first and heads across town towards Holly’s house. Tony begins chatting about the day and moves the conversation on to how he feels about Holly. He mentions that he really likes her and has done since he recruited her.
As he continues to talk he places his hand on Holy’s thigh as she sits in the passenger seat.
THE following Monday Tony asks to speak to Holly in his office. He begins the conversation by apologising for touching her on the leg on the way home in the car. He explained that he just really liked her and wanted her to like him too.
Holly explains the feelings are not reciprocated and that she would appreciate no further advances of this kind.
The conversation draws to a close. On the way towards the door Tony tries to give Holly a kiss. She refuses, pushes him away and leaves the room very upset.
If you were Holly what would you do?
For full story and alternative views and options follow the link below.
https://pharmacyinpractice.scot/2017/09/07/14022/
by Johnathan Laird. Pharmacy in Practice
Pharmacy in somewhere
The rainy Friday evening
Pharmacy in Practice
A girl with a nut allergy has reacted to something she has eaten. What do you
From Chemist & Druggist (C&D on line)
https://www.chemistanddruggist.co.uk/feature/dispense-epipen-or-send-ae
A woman and her 13-year-old daughter come into your pharmacy late on a Saturday. The girl is allergic to cashews and has had a reaction from something she has eaten at a local restaurant.
The girl normally carries an adrenaline autoinjector with her but has left it at home, which is 40 minutes away. Her condition is gradually worsening; she has shortness of breath with a wheeze and her lips appear swollen.
The mother says her daughter used to have an EpiPen but recently she has been given a different brand of autoinjector. She isn’t sure what it changed to but thinks she would recognise it if she saw it.
It is a Saturday evening, none of the local surgeries are open and the woman’s normal pharmacy is shut so can’t be contacted in order to confirm what the girl was last prescribed. Do you give an emergency supply for an EpiPen or send the daughter to A&E, which is 10 minutes away, or dial 999?
Five Fingered Discount
To see options follow the following link.
The Patient and relative
Her sister is sitting next to her and smiles at you as you approach. " I am glad you are here" she said, " I wondered if I could ask you some questions about my sisters medication."
How do you respond?
Social Media
You new counter assistant wanted to add you as her friend on her social media site, you reluctantly agree, telling her you don't post very often.
You are putting your feet up at home that evening, having your cup of tea, when you phone starts pinging messages, you pick it up and start to read. The social media site that your counter assistant uses is full of messages about the patient from hell and bosses that are having martial problems. What do you do?