1.5. Analyse how health and social care practitioners’ own values, beliefs and experiences can influence ethical practice

This guide will help you answer 1.5. Analyse how health and social care practitioners’ own values, beliefs and experiences can influence ethical practice.

Health and social care practitioners bring their values, beliefs, and life experiences to their roles. These aspects shape how they interpret their responsibilities and interact with those in their care. Understanding this influence is essential in maintaining ethical practices that respect individual needs and rights.

Values refer to the principles and standards practitioners consider most important. These could include qualities like kindness, honesty, equality, or independence. Beliefs are deeply held opinions or convictions, often linked to religion, culture, or personal philosophy. A practitioner’s experiences—both personal and professional—also play a role, as past events can shape their outlook and approach to ethical decision-making.

Positive Influence on Ethical Practice

When personal values align with the principles of health and social care, they can enhance ethical practice. For example:

• Belief in equality can motivate practitioners to ensure fair treatment for all individuals, regardless of background.
• Valuing compassion can encourage a supportive and empathetic approach to care.
• Experiences of being cared for in the past may help practitioners better understand the feelings of service users.

These traits and experiences can strengthen a practitioner’s ability to build trust, uphold dignity, and promote person-centred care.

Challenges Arising from Personal Values

Values and beliefs can sometimes unintentionally create challenges for ethical practice. For instance, a practitioner who strongly values independence might struggle to accept when a service user prefers reliance on others. Similarly, someone with strongly traditional views on family roles might misjudge a service user’s choices that differ from their own norms.

Unconscious bias—unintentional attitudes or stereotypes that affect decisions—may also arise. For example, a practitioner might unconsciously treat an elderly service user differently based on stereotypes about ageing.

Conflict Between Personal and Professional Values

Practitioners need to balance their personal values with the professional standards and principles outlined by the organisation and regulatory bodies. These standards prioritise the interests, rights, and well-being of the service user.

Situations that might create conflict can include:

• A practitioner’s cultural or religious beliefs opposing a service user’s life choices, such as same-sex relationships.
• Personal discomfort with end-of-life care due to past traumatic experiences.

It is the duty of the practitioner to separate personal feelings from their professional responsibilities. They must focus on what is in the best interest of the service user.

Cultural Sensitivity in Ethical Practice

Cultural beliefs can also shape how practitioners approach care. For example:

• A practitioner from a collectivist culture (valuing group well-being) might initially struggle to adapt to the individualist approach often central to UK health and social care.
• Religious beliefs might affect a practitioner’s decisions on treatments or interventions. For instance, a personal opposition to blood transfusions could challenge their professional obligations.

To practice ethically, practitioners must develop cultural sensitivity, ensuring they accommodate and respect the beliefs and values of service users, rather than imposing their own.

Role of Reflection in Ethical Practice

Reflection plays a vital role in addressing the impact of personal values, beliefs, and experiences on ethical practice. Taking a step back to evaluate decisions, interactions, and feelings helps practitioners understand their biases and improve their care.

Reflection can involve:

• Thinking about situations where personal views influenced decisions.
• Seeking feedback from colleagues or supervisors.
• Keeping reflective journals to track patterns over time.

Reflective practice improves self-awareness, helping practitioners align their values with professional standards while respecting service users’ rights.

Managing Emotional Reactions

Practitioners’ past experiences can trigger emotional responses to certain situations. For example, a practitioner who has experienced a personal loss may find end-of-life care emotional and challenging. Alternatively, someone raised in a strict household may feel frustration when a service user displays rebellious behaviour.

These emotions can unconsciously affect decisions or interactions, leading to inconsistent care. Practitioners must recognise and manage such feelings to maintain professional boundaries.

Training and Supervision

Professional training provides tools to address these challenges. Training often covers:

• Equality and diversity
• Conflict resolution
• Ethical decision-making

Supervision also offers support. Supervisors help practitioners identify personal biases, emotional triggers, and strategies to maintain professionalism. Regular reviews can highlight ethical dilemmas, encouraging open discussion and collaborative problem-solving.

Legal and Ethical Guidelines

Practitioners must follow laws and ethical codes, regardless of personal views. In the UK, guidelines like the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) Standards of Conduct and the Care Quality Commission (CQC) Fundamental Standards define expectations.

Key principles include:

• Dignity and respect for service users
• Equality and non-discrimination
• Upholding confidentiality

Adhering to these rules helps practitioners manage any conflicts between personal values and professional responsibilities. Failure to meet these standards can result in disciplinary action or loss of professional registration.

Promoting a Person-Centred Approach

A person-centred approach focuses on the individual needs and preferences of the service user. Practitioners must support their autonomy and choices, even if those choices conflict with their beliefs.

For example:

• Respecting a service user’s decision to refuse treatment, even if the practitioner believes it is unwise.
• Supporting someone’s cultural traditions, even if unfamiliar to the practitioner.

This approach prioritises the dignity, rights, and uniqueness of each individual, ensuring ethical care.

Conclusion

A health and social care practitioner’s values, beliefs, and experiences shape how they view and practice their role. While these aspects can positively influence care by fostering empathy and understanding, they also present challenges that require reflection and ongoing learning. Practitioners must balance personal views with professional standards, ensuring their practice remains ethical, respectful, and person-centred.