please respond to peer discussion listed below and I have attached under the peer response are 4 others that have responded to help
Case 1
A classmate has told you that she is Googling clients from her field agency as well as looking them up on Facebook. She states that the information is public, so there is no confidentiality involved, and the more she learns about them the better she can help them. In your own placement, workers send Snapchat messages to each other of the wacky ways clients dress and behave. They say it builds camaraderie in the team and is harmless since the photos and comments go away after only a few seconds.
- What Conflicting principles and feelings are in play in the case? While I understand collateral information can be an important tool used in clinically treating and diagnosis a client. Information that is collected in this manner feels like it violates the Dignity and worth of the client and violates the integrity of the clinician. “The importance that social workers place on the dignity and worth of their clients is demonstrated through respect for the inherent value of the persons with whom they work and in efforts to examine prejudicial attitudes that may diminish their ability to embrace each client’s individuality.” (Hepworth, D., 2016)
2. What are the pros and cons of the various courses of action? When speaking of the classmate who is looking clients up on social media, the student can attempt to explain to the classmate who those actions are in contradiction to the Social Workers Code of Ethics and could undermine the trust building relationship with the client. The student could share the information with the professor of the class that another classmate is admitting to looking clients up on social media and allow the professor and college to intervene, lastly the student could share this information with the internship supervisor. The pros of these actions would be standing up for the principles in the Social Workers Code of Ethics, hopefully using this situation to increase awareness and build trust and professional relationships with fellow classmate, and finally protecting a client’s rights. The cons of such actions could damage a relationship with a classmate, damage the profession of the social work if a client was to find out and lose trust in the profession and department where they were being treated.
3. What guidelines are applicable in resolving this dilemma? The client maintains the right to self-determination. They have the right to act or behave in a manner online, in public discourse, or in their dress in appearance that may seem counter to their own well being as long as they are of sound mind and have informed consent, they have every right to live life as they see fit. They also are able to accept the consequences good and bad of the choices they make. In this ethical case the clinicians are building esprit de corps with each other using the clients as the punch lines to their jokes, this behavior undermines the profession as a whole.
4. What resources could you consult to help you decide on an ethical course of action? You can always consult the Social Workers Code of Ethics, Applicable Rules, Laws, Regulations, and Agency Policies, and Fellow Social Workers and Colleagues.
Case #2
You are forming a youth group in a state correctional facility. From past experience, you know that members sometimes make references in the group to previous offenses that they have committed without being apprehended. You also know that they may talk about indiscretions or misdemeanors they (or others) may have committed or plan to commit within the institution, such as smoking marijuana, engaging in sexual encounters, receiving contraband from visitors, or stealing supplies or property from peers or staff. Are you required to share all of the information you learn in the group? How can you encourage trust and sharing if there are limits to confidentiality?
- What conflicting principles and feelings are in play in the case? In ethical case #2 the conflicting principles I see is the duty to warn, as the clients are minors and wards of the state. “Although minor clients have the right to confidentiality, informed consent, self-determination, and the protection of other ethical principles, their rights are limited by laws and policies, by differences in maturity and decision-making capacity, and by their very dependence on adults as their caretakers” (Hepworth, 2016 P.78) The other part that I see conflicting is with the ability to build trust and rapport as interpersonal relationships are important to the Social Worker.
- What are the pros and cons of the various courses of action? If the clinician reports the information from the group, then it might destroy open communication and trust that is needed for effective group therapy. On the other hand, if the clinician doesn’t report the information, they are failing to protect the minor child from harm and could be liable. I have had this scenario with adult offenders many times. Usually at the beginning of each new group we state group rules about respect, confidentiality, I tell them anything said in a group setting is confidential unless you provided mandatory reportable information, that way ground rules are established from the beginning, expectations of group conduct are adhered too. Even in the rare occasion I have had to report something, it was always done with the minimum amount of information necessary to the right person to ensure the safety, security, and well-being of all parties involved. Other times because in the environment you accept certain things is part of the correctional culture and while you encourage compliance with rules, regulations, and good behavior a clinician also has to attempt to understand the culture the specific sub-culture in which these clients are forced to survive in. If the clinician says the wrong thing to the wrong person, it could inadvertently put the client’s well-being and life in jeopardy from other incarcerated persons.
- What guidelines are applicable in resolving this dilemma? In this case the guidelines of Interpersonal Relationship and Integrity are applicable. It is important that the client feels comfortable enough to share specific information that can be key in helping them through recovery, that is when the therapeutic process can really begin when you have that level of trust and confidence. However, it is also the clinician’s responsibility to maintain integrity and promote ethical practices in others, while treating clients in a fair and respectful way.
- What resources could you consult to help you decide on an ethical course of action? You could consult any signed informed consent that may have been initiated at the beginning of the group, agency policies, local laws and regulations, the Social Workers Code of Ethics, and getting advice from a Supervisor, since the actions disclosed could be harmful to others making the clients rights to confidentiality less compelling.
Case #6
A murder was reported tonight on the evening news. You recognize the victim as a woman who had numerous brief stays at the domestic violence agency where you work. You suspect that her boyfriend was the perpetrator and wonder if you should contact the police with this information.
- What conflicting principles and feelings are in play in the case? In this case the principles of confidentiality and mandatory reporting come to mind.
- What are the pros and cons of the various courses of action? The pros of reporting the information to law enforcement would be advocating for a client even in her death for justice however, the cons could be damaging to her reputation and breaking a confidentiality agreement.
- What guidelines are applicable in resolving this dilemma? In this case Integrity is paramount “The value of integrity means that professional social workers behave in a trustworthy manner.” (Hepworth, 2016)
- What resources could you consult to help you decide on an ethical course of action? In this case, the clinician can consult the social workers code of ethics, peer consults, agency policies, and local laws. Furthermore, a clinician may even review past judicial cases of similar situations and understand the impact and outcomes of those cases.
Hepworth, D. (2016). Empowerment Series: Direct Social Work Practice: Theory and Skills (10th ed.). Cengage Learning US. https://ecampus.vitalsource.com/books/9798214342290Links to an external site.
Jul 11 12:18pm
Reply from La’Niaya Nesbitt
Hello Jason,
I enjoyed reading your discussion post for this week. I particularly took interest in your thoughts on ethics case 6. We shared many similarities in our answers to this case. “Disclosure of information without clients’ permission should be done only for compelling reasons, and even then, there are limits on what information can be shared and with whom” (Hepworth, Rooney, R., Rooney, G.D., & Strom-Gottfried 2017. p. 74). By reporting this importation information to law enforcement this can very well assist in the capture of the perpetrator and getting justice for the family. Although, there is a con to this as you stated, I believe that without sharing this information this can be more damaging to the victims’ family. In this case would you consider contacting law enforcement ?
References:
Hepworth, D.H., Rooney, R., Rooney, G.D., & Strom-Gottfried, K. (2017). Empowerment series: Direct social work practice: Theory and skills (10th ed.), Boston, MA: Cengage Learning.
Jul 11 12:45pm
Reply from Brady Nalepa
Jason, I found your post remarkably interesting and well put! I completely agree with the way you analyzed the conflicting principles of researching your clients through a Google search. In my opinion, it just feels wrong. That client does not know you are researching them and using their public information. Within your analysis of Case #2, I believe that I would report the situation because the minor is in “danger”. “There are several situations in which helping professionals are allowed or are compelled to share case information” (Hepworth, Rooney, Rooney, & Strom-Gottfried, 2017, p. 75). If the minor had the chance of being in danger, I would feel obligated to make a report! I believe that you fully understand how to analyze these scenarios; I gave two examples of where I agreed and what I found most interesting! Overall, you did a fantastic job on this discussion post! Keep up the magnificent work!
Hepworth, D.H., Rooney, R., Rooney, G.D., & Strom-Gottfried, K. (2017). Empowerment series: Direct social work practice: Theory and skills (10th ed.), Boston, MA: Cengage Learning.
Edited Jul 11 3:12pm
Reply from Mary Sharpton
Jason,
I like that you chose case two and had a very interesting take on the situation as a whole. I felt conflicted and ultimately not as confident in my ability to answer pros and cons regarding case two and as you described the pull between confidentiality and building trust in order to complete the helping process. Being upfront and disclosing that while this group is intended to remain a safe space, as a social worker I have a duty to keep those in contact with them outside of the group setting safe also. As our reading discusses it’s also important in all of the cases, we remember the social work code of ethics and include them in natural conversation. “Research has especially supported the correlation of empathy with positive social work outcomes” (). Especially in the case study two, I think empathy and informed consent would go a long way to encourage communication between the group and the social worker along with keeping the line clear that certain information shared could have consequences if the social worker feels there is a safety issue brewing.
References:
Hepworth, D. H., Rooney, R. H., Rooney, G. D., & Strom-Gottfried, K. (2017). Empowerment series: Direct social work practice: Theory and skills (10th ed.) [eCampus]. Cengage Learning US. https://ecampus.vitalsource.com/books/9798214342290Links to an external site.
Jul 14 6:36pm
Reply from Juanita Seawright
I totally agree if the clinician reports the information from the group, then it might destroy open communication and trust that is needed for effective group therapy. Yes, if the clinician doesn’t report the information, they are failing to protect the minor child from harm and could be liable. Yes, usually at the beginning of each new group rules are discussed about respect and confidentiality.
