Developing a Social Work Research Agenda on Ethics in Health Care

Abstract

This article advocates greater empirical research on ethics in health care by social work researchers. Although an extensive theoretical literature exists, scant empirical research has been conducted on ethical issues by social work researchers since 1980, compared with physicians and other health care researchers. A theoretical framework is presented as a heuristic device to stimulate research on a range of topics, including the content and nature of ethical deliberations, contextual factors, and ethical outcomes. By demonstrating empirically that their interventions improve ethical outcomes, social work researchers can provide ammunition to support social work's role in ethical deliberations in health care settings.

Believers and Skeptics: Where Social Worker Situate Themselves Regarding the Code of Ethics

“…The larger study was undertaken generally to address what we and others saw as a need for more systemic and systematic in-depth research and knowledge regarding ethical dilemmas (Clark, 2000;Gallagher, Creighton, & Gibbons, 1995;Jansson & Dodd, 1998). As Landau, 2000) noted "… little is known about how social workers … actually define and resolve ethical dilemmas" (p. 26).…”

“…First, there is a lacuna of studies exploring the socio-political elements involved in ethical decision-making (Jansson & Dodd, 1998;Prilleltensky, Walsh-Bowers, & Rossiter, 1999), which are often hidden by the focus on the client-social worker level (Briskman & Noble, 1999;Lerman & Porter, 1990;Prilleltensky et al, 1999). Second, there is a need for more studies of the actual lived experiences of the workers as they negotiate ethical issues in their daily practices (Holland & Kilpatrick, 1991;Prilleltensky et al, 1999).…”

“…Second, there is a need for more studies of the actual lived experiences of the workers as they negotiate ethical issues in their daily practices (Holland & Kilpatrick, 1991;Prilleltensky et al, 1999). Third, research is needed to address a variety of specific service settings (Jansson & Dodd, 1998;Prilleltensky et al, 1999) and areas of practice (Manning, 1997). Finally, there is a need for more consumer voice regarding ethical decision-making (Anderson, 2001;Banks, 1998).…”

Hospital Social Workers' Attitudes Toward Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide

“…According to Jansson and Dodd (1998), there is a lack of research concerning issues of health care ethics in social work. Their assertion is supported by a finding of only 15 empirical articles on ethics in health care published in the profession's major journals from 1980 to 1996.…”

The Role of Ethical Theories in Decision Making by Social Workers

“…Argumentation is an important element in ethical decision making. Yet, despite the importance of social workers' ethical decision-making processes, there has been little empirical research by social workers in the field of ethics (see Jansson & Dodd, 1998), particularly on argumentation in ethical decision making (see Osmo & Landau, 2001).…”