On the incorporation of universal human rights values into an "everyday" healthcare ethics: a spiritual perspective
Citation:
Lee, Mandy, On the incorporation of universal human rights values into an "everyday" healthcare ethics: a spiritual perspective., 6th International Spirituality in Healthcare Conference: "The Spiritual Imperative in Healthcare: Securing Foundations, Trinity College Dublin, 17 June 2021Download Item:
Abstract:
Background: The Universal Declaration of Human Rights adopted in Geneva in December 1948 has been part of a key set of documents framing universal human rights values and informing ethical
practices in many spheres. Legal scholars and ethicists have written about how such
espoused values may be manifested in health research and practice, and this paper seeks to
add to that scholarship by approaching the topic from a spiritual perspective, on the
possibility of creating an “everyday healthcare ethics" that reflect our highest principles
especially in an era of hi-tech surveillance.
Aim and objectives: This paper seeks to explore how universal human rights values could be adequately incorporated into healthcare ethics by questioning the deeper assumptions of healthcare research and practice from a spiritual perspective.
Theoretical Perspectives: In this discussion paper I will explore theories by ethicists and legal scholars on universal human rights values. I build on this overview by outlining the philosophical frameworks showcased in a series of BMJ papers regarding the ideal principles of a health system. I
supplement these frameworks by reference to my previous paper on the application of
Taoist and existentialist philosophies to healthcare practice.
Discussion Topic: I utilise the above theoretical perspectives to argue for the universality of universal human rights values, and to re-state their enduring importance to our contemporary societies
despite the passage of time. I offer a critique of how such espoused values have often
become mere background fodder as opposed to a living part of our healthcare research and
practice, using recent examples of egregious lapses. I propose how we could enliven the
incorporation of such values into our “everyday healthcare ethics" by engaging in spiritual
questioning, offering counter-factuals of how those egregious examples could have been
avoided if this deeper questioning was employed.
Conclusions and Implications: By drawing attention to the “death of values" pervading some of our healthcare research and practice, and showing how deeper spiritual questioning can be used to enliven our everyday healthcare ethics, this paper has implications for how we could conduct healthcare in manners that are in sync with our espoused highest values.
Author's Homepage:
http://people.tcd.ie/mslee
Author: Lee, Mandy
Other Titles:
6th International Spirituality in Healthcare Conference: "The Spiritual Imperative in Healthcare: Securing Foundations?Type of material:
Conference PaperAvailability:
Full text availableSubject (TCD):
Ethics , Ethics of care , Research EthicsDOI:
https://doi.org/10.25546/98624Metadata
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