RPS guidance on ethical, professional decision making in the Covid-19 Pandemic

Boyd, Matthew

Abstract

There is a wide recognition that all pharmacists and pharmacy technicians, like other health professionals, are working under extreme pressures during the current pandemic. These are likely to get worse before they get better and may recur. Staff are already having to make prioritisation decisions and are planning for previously unseen situations.

Pharmacists and pharmacy technicians are often by their very nature perfectionists and strive to do their best. When we find ourselves in situations such as these, perfectionism is counterproductive. We recognise that safe and effective care – rather than ideal care – may be the best and right kind of care to provide, in the context of the COVID-19 challenge.

Pharmacists and pharmacy technicians will need to make quicker, timelier decisions which may feel uncomfortable, have increased belief in their own experience, and draw upon experience around them.

The guidance in this document is intended for utilisation by all sectors of the profession and by staff in both strategic roles and those in roles closer to patients.

Citation

Boyd, M. (2020). RPS guidance on ethical, professional decision making in the Covid-19 Pandemic. Royal Pharmaceutical Society

• Report Type: Other
• Publication Date: Apr 8, 2020
• Deposit Date: Apr 17, 2020
• Publicly Available Date: Apr 17, 2020
• Publisher: Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.17639/esxy-hs66
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/4300806
• Publisher URL: https://www.rpharms.com/resources/pharmacy-guides/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-information-for-pharmacists-and-teams/ethical-decision-making
• Additional Information: Published on behalf of the RPS short life working group on Ethical, professional decision making in the COVID-19 pandemic