Assignment task: How do you apply the ETHIC Model of Decision Making in this scenario?
You are a social worker in a nursing home. Your favorite resident, Mr. Blakely (diagnosed with dementia 6 months ago), has just returned from a doctor's visit with his son. His son tells you that Mr. Blakely has been diagnosed with terminal cancer. The son does not want you to tell Mr. Blakely or any of the family (he has power of attorney) about this new diagnosis. He says, "Dad won't remember it anyway."
Later that day, Mr. Blakely asks you what the doctor said about his visit because his son would not tell him. What do you do? The patient is also given new medications (for cancer pain management) and wants to know what they are for. What do you tell him?
Consider how you would respond to the scenario using the ETHIC Model.