What characterizes an ethical dilemma?

An ethical dilemma is characterized by a choice between two equally compelling alternatives, which often involve conflicting moral principles. In such situations, a rehabilitation technician or any healthcare professional may find themselves torn between two actions that both have valid justifications, making the decision-making process challenging.

For example, a technician might need to decide between advocating for a patient’s autonomy by allowing them to make their own treatment choices and adhering to a medical recommendation that aims to ensure their safety. Both choices carry significant implications and ethical considerations, illustrating the essence of a dilemma where neither option is definitively right or wrong.

The other options do not accurately capture the complexity of an ethical dilemma. A situation with a clear right and wrong answer lacks the nuanced conflict necessary for a dilemma. Blindly following institutional policies does not allow for the moral reasoning that ethical dilemmas often require. Similarly, decisions that have no impact on patient care do not constitute ethical dilemmas, as they do not present conflicting values that necessitate careful consideration.