Using the Six-Step Model in Identifying Ethical Issues in Erroneous Report

Ethics Final Essay
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Ethics Final Essay
Ethics is the moral principle that determines an individual’s behavior or how people carry out an activity. Ethics is concerned with difficulties such as how to lead a decent life, human lives, obligations, and the vocabulary of wrong and right, honorable and terrible. Ethics help in the shaping and molding of the life of humans (Slade & Prinsloo, 2013). The American Psychological Association’s (APA) Ethical Principles and Code of Conduct outline aspirational goals as well as realistic parameters which practitioners can use when making important decisions. The American Psychological Association (APA) first published their moral framework in 1953, and it has evolved since that day. This moral code of the American Psychological Association contains essential beliefs and norms of behavior. Its fundamental themes are intended to act as a reference for therapists in their work career, whether they work in psychological health, academia, or business. The guidelines are anticipated practices which, if not fulfilled, may lead in legal and professional penalties. Ethical decision-making is the way of analyzing and settling on possibilities while adhering to moral guidelines (Schwartz, 2016). This model aids in determining the best course of action. This paper will use the six-step model to identify the ethical issues involved and any other problems related to the case study.
The custody evaluator involved in the child custody evaluation made erroneous mistakes concerning the psychological wellbeing of Mrs. D, the patient. The custody evaluator also made wrong conclusions, and the opinions presented in the report do not have enough support. Also, Dr. S is uncertain whether he should inform the patient of the erroneous conclusions in the news, and he is stuck between the need not to cross the lines as a psychologist and be faithful to the patient. Dr. S is not sure whether he should contact the patient’s lawyer and discuss the perceptions, the quality report, and its conclusion with the patient’s permission. Additionally, the doctor is stuck on whether he should bill the patient for his time reviewing the information. Finally, the therapist is undecided about whether or not to charge the client’s insurance provider for a forensic investigation during a psychotherapeutic consultation.
Several APA ethical principles, standards, and professional guidelines are relevant in this case. First is principle A, which deals with beneficence and non-maleficence. According to this principle, psychologists are tasked with taking care of those they work for and doing no harm. As a medical service provider, principle A requires Dr. S to ensure no harm befalls his patients (Section 3: Human Relations; 3.04 Avoiding Harm). Therefore, since the report had errors, it is his responsibility to inform the patient.
Principle B of the code of ethics, which deals with the fidelity and responsibility of the psychologists, is also at play in this scenario. The principle declares that the psychologist should consult, cooperate or refer to other professionals needed to serve b...