Framework for Ethical Decision-Making Based on Mission, Vision and Values of the Institution

Abstract

The authors led the development of a framework for ethical decision-making for an Academic Health Sciences Centre. They understood the existing mission, vision, and values statement (MVVs) of the centre as a foundational assertion that embodies an ethical commitment of the institution. Reflecting the Patient and Family Centred Model of Care the institution is living, the MVVs is a suitable base on which to construct an ethics framework. The resultant framework consists of a set of questions for each of the MVVs. Users of the framework are expected to identify two or more possible decisions to address the issue at hand and then, by applying the provided sequence of questions to each, examine these options and determine the overall ethically preferable decision. The construction of such a framework requires the creative involvement of the institution's staff. Thus the development of the framework can represent a training process in ethical decision-making as well as advance the ethical atmosphere of the institution. This novel approach has the advantage of placing the MVVs on active duty, at the centre of ethical decision-making, and lifts it from its otherwise relative obscurity in most institutions.

Ethical decision-making in biopharmaceutical research and development: applying values using the TRIP & TIPP model

“…Because of potential discrepancies between values at personal and organizational levels, it is important for individuals to have a good understanding of what organizational values intend and what the expectation is for them to behave in alignment with such values. 3 The framing of company values in our model helps to "bring those values to life" by connecting with the more personal intuitive level. Better application of company values has the potential to increase the autonomy and competence of employees involved, as it has been shown to do in healthcare settings.…”

“…Ethical decision-making models have been widely applied and studied in many disciplines, particularly within the clinical healthcare context. 3 Although it is now recognized that decision making in the biopharmaceutical industry should be driven by values-based considerations, 4 there is a paucity of literature on systematic methods or decision models applied in this industry setting that innovates and produces drugs, vaccines, and immunotherapeutics.…”

“…There exists a substantial body of literature on ethical decision making in a wide range of disciplines (e.g., in psychological counseling, healthcare management, and in a business context), and decision-making models all tend toward a broadly similar format. 3 , 9 - 12 However, research into decision making in the biopharmaceutical industry is limited to a survey published in 2005, 13 - 15 based on in-depth interviews with personnel from 13 bioindustry companies. It includes examples of pharmaceutical companies using a variety of initiatives to encourage employees to refer to company values while making important decisions.…”