NASW Code of Ethics Essay

However, the same section of the Code also suggests that social workers are entitled to limit the â€Å"right of clients to self-determination† if and only if the â€Å"clients’ actions or potential actions pose a serious, foreseeable, and imminent risk† to either the patient themselves or to others including their relatives. These things being the case, it goes to show that the attending physician, with the consent of his superiors, may refuse the request of the patient or the relatives of the patient to cut-off his life-support system. It is this case which shows how the obligation of the social worker can override the right of the patient to self-determination. The result is an ethical dilemma where the attending physician is forced to make a decision; no middle-ground option is available. Section 1. 06 provides the immediate action that should be taken should the need arise. The section states that social workers ought to â€Å"inform clients when a real or potential conflict of interest arises† (Code of Ethics of the National Association of Social Workers). Thus, the first thing that the attending physician should do is to inform the patient or—if the patient is in a physical state where he is unable to make decisions on his own or comprehend the situation—the relatives of the patient about the conflict. In doing so, the attending physician is able to preempt confusion on the part of the patient or the relatives of the patient. Doing so also reinforces the idea that â€Å"a major stakeholder in business must be the communities of which corporations and other organizations are a part† (Ethics and the Organization, p. 215), part of which are the clients or patients of the social workers. Lastly, informing the patients or his relatives about the conflict of interest can help the patient or his relatives reconsider the decision. The same section also provides that reasonable steps should be taken, steps that treat the clients’ interests as primary and â€Å"protect clients’ interests to the greatest extent possible† (Code of Ethics of the National Association of Social Workers). The situation under inquiry indicates that the primary interest of the client or his relatives is to cease his life-support system. This being the case, the prerogative for the attending physician is to uphold the interest of the client which is cease the patient’s life-support system regardless of whether or not the attending physician the decision reflects his personal position. The physician’s immediate superior similarly cannot override the decision of the client since the interest of the client still overrides the decisions of the superiors. In the case, there are two reasons behind the decision of the clients to cease the life-support system of the patient. One is that the patient is terminally-ill and two is that the patient’s family can barely afford the fees required to continue the provision of the life-support system. In Section 1. 13 of the NASW Code of Ethics, it is stated that â€Å"social workers should ensure that the fees are fair, reasonable, and commensurate with the services performed† (Code of Ethics of the National Association of Social Workers). If the clients cannot afford the facilities and services provided by the health organization where the attending physician is working for despite being fair, reasonable and commensurate with the services provided, there is little reason to deny the request of the clients. It is important to note that the health organization also has its own shareholders; it is similarly unethical to not consider the financial interest of the health organization if the clients themselves are already requesting for the cessation of the life-support system of the patient. The fact that the patient is already suffering from a terminal illness is a guarantee that the health condition of the patient is beyond cure. As far as the NASW Code of Ethics is concerned, it is safe to assume that it is ethical for the attending physician to grant the request of the client to cease the life-support system. But in doing so, it is imperative to let the client sign a waiver which will make certain that the clients are fully aware of the consequences of their decision and of the options that they have. The case may stand as a precedent for future cases with similar nature together with the provisions in the NASW Code of Ethics. The decision to execute the request of the clients is also consistent with the core values emphasized in the Code, specifically the values of competence and integrity. Fully discussing with the clients the consequences of their decision and the circumstances of the case shows the capacity of the social worker to remain professional and to avoid becoming too much engaged in the personal affairs of the clients. It also shows the integrity of the social worker in keeping in mind his limitations and his obligations to his clients. In the event where the client raises a complaint after the execution of their decision, a selected panel will head the investigation of the case. The panel will use the NASW Code of Ethics together with the facts as the bases for deciding the case. The system of inquiry discussed herein focuses on the context of social workers dealing with ethical dilemmas involving the interests of the clients and the obligation of the social workers to uphold the welfare of their clients. The NASW Code of Ethics is a critical part in the system of inquiry because it lays down the vital functions of social workers and the extent upon which they can perform their duties. As far as the organization is concerned, the Code provides the benefit of having an accepted guideline to base their decisions and actions while considering the interests of their clients. The Code also makes the decision-making process of the organization more efficient with minimal hindrances on resolving conflicts of interests. More importantly, the Code allows for the consistency in the decisions and actions of the individual members and agencies under the NASW when dealing with problems that involve the interests of their clients and the duties of social workers. References Code of Ethics of the National Association of Social Workers. (2008). Retrieved April 18, 2009, from http://www. socialworkers. org/pubs/code/code. asp Ethics and the Organization. In Managing Business Ethics. Ethics as Organizational Culture. In Managing Business Ethics.