Critical Reflective Blog

  Understanding Ethical Dilemmas Through Study and Practice I have developed an understanding through my studies in Health and Social care, I have come to realise just how often professionals in healthcare care are required to make difficult choices, such as choosing between two or more appropriate options, where these decisions may involve conflicting values or beliefs (White et.al ., 2024). I used to think that making the right choice was about following rules, but it is not always that simple and any decisions may have major consequences. From my experience in the workplace. I have personally witnessed the challenges of ethical dilemmas firsthand. I have seen how complex these situations can be, with professionals trying make the right decisions for those involved in a situation, even when there is no clear right or wrong answer. In one case a patient was continually refusing medication, the team wanted to uphold beneficence by promoting the patients’ health, but the patie...

  Introduction Ethical dilemmas can be a common part of working in health and social care, where all professionals often face difficult decisions that don’t always have a clear right or wrong answer (Ahuja et al. , 2024). These situations require careful consideration of various factors, including the well-being of the individuals involved, legal obligations, and moral principles. Effective communication and collaboration among team members are crucial in navigating these challenges and reaching the best possible outcomes. What Is an Ethical Dilemma? An ethical dilemma is when an individual has to decide between two different actions, both of which seem reasonable but may lead to different outcomes. For instance, a care worker supporting an elderly woman with dementia who refuses to take her medication. Should the care worker respect her decision and risk her health? Or should they intervene for her safety? Both actions can be justified (Haddad and Geiger, 2023). Which is what m...

Ethical Dilemmas Working in a supported accommodation for young people commonly involves managing various emotional, behavioural and safeguarding challenges. As a support worker in this environment, reflection, alongside critical thinking, is essential when dealing with dilemmas and ensuring decisions are guided by professional values, ethical principles, and relevant legislation. In this reflection, I will use Gibbs’ Reflective Cycle (1988) to explore a situation where I came across a young person displaying an increase in aggression and disobedience. I will analyse how I applied my skills of critical thinking to balance respect for the resident’s independence with the responsibility to sustain a safe environment for everyone around them. Over time, a young person began to display unprovoked aggressive behaviours, including verbal outbursts and refusal to complete simple daily tasks. This involved failing to attend key appointments with their GP, disregarding safety protocols such as ...

  The role of critical thinking in every day care Through my experience in a health and social career, I’ve come to see critical thinking as an essential part of professional practices (Altun and Yildirim, 2023).  not something just for academic settings. It’s about being able to assess situations objectively, question assumptions, and make informed decisions that prioritise the wellbeing of the person receiving care. Critical thinking helps me to understand different points of view and make choices that are fair and respectful. It also allows me to stay calm and think clearly in difficult situations. This is very important when working with people who may be vulnerable or in need of support. By using critical thinking, I can make sure I give the best care possible, based on facts, good communication, and compassion. It helps me to spot problems early, avoid mistakes, and work better with my team. Overall, critical thinking is not just a skill; it’s a vital part of giving sa...

Critical Thinking Critical thinking is the ability to reflect deeply, analyse information objectively, and draw conclusions based on evidence rather than assumptions or emotion. It involves asking questions, evaluating different perspectives, and making well-reasoned decisions (Moon, 2019). In health and social care, critical thinking helps practitioners make ethical choices, challenge dominant views where necessary, and ensure that vulnerable individuals receive the support they truly need (Andrews, 2021). Personal Experience: Critical Thinking When I worked in a supported accommodation for young people with severe behavioural as well as emotional issues, one of the residents began withdrawing, refusing meals, absenting themself from school, as well as avoiding contact with workers. Some of my other workers regarded it as one of those phases of rebelliousness or attention-seeking, not uncommon in the centre. But I regarded the behaviour as diagnostic of something larger in scope and d...

  What is Critical Thinking Critical thinking represents the practice of being able to carefully examine ideas, claims and evidence, as opposed to accepting them at face value. It involves the ability to think clearly rationally and without bias. It also means looking at information objectively and forming a fair, honest opinion. For me it means asking questions, thinking things through step by step and identifying unfair opinions, weak points or flaws in arguments. I would be inclined to use argument mapping, which I have explained further on in my work. I would draw information from various sources, arriving at my conclusion. Critical thinking is an essential skill that can be utilised in many situations, whether that be in personal life or work life. It enables me to think carefully and make well thought out decisions, based on facts and logical reasoning (Singh, 2023). Critical thinking is not just about finding the correct answers, but to ask the right questions and to m...