The ethical element in health services is not an option, but one of the most important elements that both saves lives, saves time and ensures that all parties trust each other. For patients to receive fast, accurate and safe healthcare services, they should be sure that all healthcare professionals they deal with will treat them with ethical behaviour and thought. Likewise, healthcare professionals should be aware of the accuracy of the information they need for patients to receive the right healthcare service, the honesty of their aims and that they are in ethical behaviour and thought, just as patients expect to be treated. The line in a science fiction film I watched made a very good point: "Trust is mutual." Unilateral trust is not a relationship, it means that one party uses the other party. To establish mutual trust, it is necessary to ensure that all parties act in ethical behaviour and thought.
When we have a health problem, we go to the doctor, tell the doctor the symptoms of our problem, answer his questions, have the tests and examinations he wants. During the whole process, we rely on the staff who help us, guide us and apply the procedures to do what needs to be done correctly and completely according to their training so that the doctor can apply the correct diagnosis and treatment. Sometimes in this process, the application sequence may be disrupted, or the expected result may not be obtained, so additional diagnoses or treatments may be needed. If the patient finds the attitudes, behaviours and explanations of the staff managing this process incomplete or interprets them, the relationship of trust may be damaged. As a result, the treatment may be started all over again in another institution, there may be no treatment at all, or undesirable behaviours may occur between the patient and the relevant staff. The way to prevent this is to make the relevant explanations to the patient in an ethical, impartial, clear and honest manner by healthcare professionals and to explain the possible consequences step by step. The patient and his/her relatives should also trust that the staff are carrying out their duties correctly and honestly and that they are carrying out the procedures necessary for the diagnosis.
Mutual trust is gradually established by both parties insisting on ethical thoughts and behaviours. The achievement of a high level of trust depends on the consistent continuation of mutual ethical behaviour. Everyone has the right to receive fair, honest and equal healthcare in a safe environment and all healthcare professionals have the right to work in a safe environment. In addition, both parties are obliged to act within the framework of their responsibilities. Our aim in the Ethical Life Power Alliance is to lead a happy life by promoting ethical behaviour among individuals and institutions. In this way, we can achieve a healthy, fair and equal environment and society.
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