A foundation of ethics...

What now seems like many moons ago, I began my career in healthcare at the ripe age of eighteen. I was fresh out of high school and ready to take my healthcare dreams to the next level! The first semester of my Occupational Therapy program was a true ice breaker as we dove in deep on topics of healthcare and more importantly ethics. We studied cases, revisited scenarios from our volunteer experience, and read about current events in the news. While the course itself only ran for one semester, the discussion of ethics was continued throughout the program and subsequently my career. You see, healthcare has a set of clearly defined “dos and don’ts” that are engrained in the subconscious of each, and every healthcare provider. In the context of school the situations and decisions are very clear cut. Out in the real world however, the lines are blurred, and decisions are constantly challenged to balance the benefits of the patients with those of the business. You can read more about WHO’s efforts in healthcare at Ethics.

Undoubtedly the focus on “doing what’s right” has stuck with me throughout my career. Many times my own ethical basis has been challenged when working with patients as well as with payors. There were times that I had to report my own superior, an employee, and even sit down with a state investigator to give a witness statement. With each challenge I became more resolute to do what is right for the sake of patients, for the sake of our healthcare system, and for the sake of our communities. My personal and professional experiences are the moral and ethical basis of healthCAREuphoria. Researching, interviewing, and evaluating healthcare partners and programs is our first step in doing business.

For more information on the guiding principals and importance of ethics in healthcare, please visit Ethics in Healthcare: Improving Patient Outcomes and Ethics in healthcare — strategies and tips for improving patient-centered care