The System of Inquiry Essay Example for Free

The System of Inquiry Essay The basic framework of the system of inquiry is to eliminate bias in determining the appropriateness of the actions and decisions of social workers in NASW. It also includes the consideration for the welfare of the people to whom the services of the social workers are rendered without prejudicing the welfare of the social workers at the same time. In essence, the basic framework revolves around the idea of withholding judgment until all the pertinent facts are considered and the natures of the ethical situations are analyzed. This basic framework will be used because social workers oftentimes deal with ethical dilemmas where the ethically sound and valid decisions are difficult to identify. In some cases, the options available for social workers are ethically permissible and yet they are required to choose only one option. It is therefore imperative to choose the most suitable option with the least corresponding harmful consequences possible. Otherwise, the prudent act of choosing carefully from the possible ethical options becomes a futile undertaking. The system of inquiry will be applied only after the facts of the case are identified. Thereafter, the applicable sections of the NASW Code of Ethics will be used as bases for determining the ethical worth of the actions or decisions of the social workers under study. A selected panel will head the investigations of the cases, the results of which are still subject to appeal, after which the decision will be considered final and irrevocable. Thus, the NASW Code of Ethics will not only serve as an immediate guide for the members of the organization. It will also function as an objective â€Å"arbiter† during investigations of ethical complaints or breaches in the proposed ethical conduct of social workers. The System of Inquiry As far as the NASW Code of Ethics is concerned, the primary role of social workers is â€Å"to promote the wellbeing of clients† because â€Å"client’s interests are primary† (Code of Ethics of the National Association of Social Workers). Thus, social workers are expected to set aside their personal bias and other personal concerns when professionally dealing with their clients. Senior leaders in the profession are likewise expected to secure the professionalism of the social workers because these senior leaders â€Å"can create, maintain, or change culture† (Managing Business Ethics Chapter09, p. 230). In other words, the observation that senior leaders can influence the outlook of the organization and its members implies the responsibility to make sure that direction of the actions and decisions of the members are aligned with the policies of the organization including the NASW Code of Ethics. There are instances when social workers face the dilemma of whether or not to allow the request of their clients which social workers know are harmful or do not provide any benefits to their clients. As an example, some social workers in the health profession may face the situation where their patient requests that his life support system should be cut for personal or family reasons. It may be that the patient’s family can no longer shoulder the expenses of providing a life support system to their patient-relative. A variation of this situation is when the terminally-ill patient is no longer capable of making an informed decision on what he wants to be done as far as his medical needs are concerned. As a result, the relatives of the patients are prompted to act or decide on behalf of their terminally-ill family member. In such cases, there arises a conflict in the interests of the patient and the social worker. On one hand, the interest of the social worker is to promote the welfare of the client at all times as a primary concern and as far as the NASW Code of Ethics is concerned, specifically section 1. 01 otherwise known as â€Å"Commitment to Clients†. On the other hand, the interest of the patient or the relatives is to cease the life-support system of their relative who is terminally ill. Most often than not, the attending physician is prompted by the circumstances to consult with his immediate superiors. In this case, the superior of the attending physician will have to use the NASW Code of Ethics as basis for the decision. Section 1. 02 of the NASW Code of Ethics states that social workers should not only respect but also promote their clients’ rights to self-determination and assist their clients in their efforts to identify and clarify their goals† (Code of Ethics of the National Association of Social Workers). Taking into account this section of the Code, it is apparent that the superior should respect the decision of the patient or the relatives of the patient to cut-off the life-support of the terminally-ill patient. It is suggested that it is not within the boundaries of either the attending physician or the superior of the physician to force their clients to follow the decision of the social worker. Since it is the primary obligation of the social worker to promote the welfare of the client, it follows that the social worker should not insist to sustain the life of the patient. It is this instance that shows how the right to self-determination of the patient may override the duty of the social worker.