Lesson Notes By Weeks and Term v4 - SHS 3
BIOMEDICAL SCIENCE PRACTICE
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BIOMEDICAL SCIENCE PRACTICE
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Subject: Biomedical Science
Class: SHS 3
Term: 2nd Term
Week: 8
Grade code: 3.1.1.LI.3
Strand code: 1
Sub-strand code: 1
Content standard code: 3.1.1.CS.1
Indicator code: 3.1.1.LI.3
Theme: BIOMEDICAL SCIENCE IN SOCIETY
Subtheme: BIOMEDICAL SCIENCE PRACTICE
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This lesson focuses on the critical importance of ethical and legal standards in the biomedical science profession. As future leaders and potential practitioners in Ghana's health sector, it is essential for learners to understand that the actions of a single biomedical professional can have profound effects not just on one patient, but on their family, the hospital's reputation, and public trust in the entire healthcare system. We will explore the rules that guide professionals and the severe consequences that arise when these rules are broken. This knowledge empowers students to become responsible professionals and informed patients who can advocate for their rights.
A. Foundational Definitions Ethics: These are the moral principles that guide what is considered right and wrong. In biomedical science, ethics is concerned with questions like: "Should I do this?" "Is this the right thing for the patient?" It's about our fundamental values. Unethical Behaviour: An action that violates these moral principles. It goes against the accepted standards of the profession. *Example: A doctor gossiping about a patient's medical condition with friends is unethical.* Illegal Behaviour: An action that is forbidden by the laws of Ghana. All illegal acts in a professional setting are also unethical, but not all unethical acts are illegal. *Example: A lab scientist demanding a bribe to speed up test results is both unethical and illegal.* B. Code of Ethics vs. Code of Conduct
Think of these two as a team. The Code of Ethics is the "why" and the Code of Conduct is the "how". Code of Ethics: This is a broad, aspirational document that outlines the core values and principles of a profession. It focuses on the ideals that professionals should strive for. Example Principle (from a Doctor's Code of Ethics): "I will hold the health and well-being of my patient as my first priority." This is a guiding principle, not a specific rule. Code of Conduct: This is a set of specific, enforceable rules that dictate acceptable and unacceptable behaviour. It provides clear instructions on what to do and what not to do. Example Rule (from a Hospital's Code of Conduct): "Employees must not accept personal gifts from patients or their families valued at more than GHS 50." This is a clear, specific rule that can be easily enforced.
Analogy: The Code of Ethics is like the Constitution of Ghana (stating broad rights and principles), while the Code of Conduct is like the specific traffic laws (don't overspeed, stop at a red light). C. Examples of Unethical/Illegal Behaviours in a Ghanaian Context Breach of Patient Confidentiality: A nurse at Korle-Bu discussing a politician's diagnosis in a public "trotro". Negligence: A lab technician at a regional hospital in Tamale rushing and mislabeling a blood sample, which could lead to a patient receiving the wrong blood type. Fraud: A clinic administrator billing the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) for medications that were never given to the patient. Conflict of Interest: A doctor owning a private pharmacy and forcing all his patients to buy drugs only from his shop, even when they are more expensive. Assault without Consent: A surgeon performing an additional, non-emergency procedure on an unconscious patient without prior consent from the patient or their family. Discrimination: A health worker at a CHPS compound in a village providing faster service to people from their own ethnic group while making others wait for hours. Extortion/Bribery: A morgue attendant demanding "susu" or an extra, unofficial fee from a grieving family before releasing the body of their loved one. D. Consequences of Unethical and Illegal Behaviour
The consequences can be broken down into two main categories: those affecting the individual professional, and the long-term, wider impact. Personal Consequences (For the Professional)