What Ethical Dilemmas Do Social Workers Face in the Healthcare Area in Spain?

Abstract

The purpose of the article is to identify the types of ethical dilemmas that Spanish social workers face in the healthcare arena (health centres, hospitals and mental health). A quantitative methodology was chosen using the questionnaire prepared by Eileen J. Ain. The questionnaire has been translated and adapted for Social Work in Spain. The statistical analysis shows the correlation between the different areas of intervention in Social Work and the most significant ethical dilemmas that such professionals have to solve (autonomy, confidentiality and informed consent). This article is an essential study on Social Work at the national level that emphasizes the importance of the ethics of Social Work in the Healthcare area.

Ethical dilemmas in healthcare management: A comprehensive review

“…Lastly, end-of-life decisions pose complex ethical dilemmas as healthcare managers navigate choices related to withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment, advance care planning, and palliative care use. Balancing patient wishes, family considerations, and adherence to ethical principles such as autonomy and beneficence presents multifaceted challenges in end-of-life care management (Haahr, Norlyk, Martinsen, & Dreyer, 2020;Pozgar, 2023;Viscarret, Ballestero, Úriz, & Idareta, 2023).…”