Truth and Ethics Theresa angrily expresses her feelings about her experience, ‘The truth needs to be told about this situation!’ Her friend listens and responds, ‘Yes, but whose truth?’ ‘What do you...

Truth and Ethics

Theresa angrily expresses her feelings about her experience, ‘The truth needs to be told about this situation!’ Her friend listens and responds, ‘Yes, but whose truth?’ ‘What do you mean whose truth?’ replies Theresa, suppressing a certain agitation at the question. ‘Well, the way you are talking suggests that this is only one ‘truth’ or interpretation of what is happening when in fact there are multiple ‘truths’ in this scenario. Each person involved here has a particular perspective that influences their actions’. ‘But surely’ exclaims Theresa, ‘the only perspectives that really count are those of Coral and John, and they are the ones we should be really listening to and acting upon’. ‘You may well be right’ replies the friend, ‘but the fact is that this is not happening, regardless of whether it ought to. And so, although I agree with you that this resident's autonomy is not being fully respected, in order for there to be any meaningful change in this place, there has to be an understanding of everyone's choices in the situation – real or perceived – and who or what constrains those choices. Theresa, you have found yourself in ‘a culture of acceptance’. ‘What do you mean by ‘culture of acceptance?’ asks Theresa, calling upon her reserves of patience. ‘Just that this ethical issue you have come across requires the assent – tacit or otherwise – and complicity of more than one person for it to be perpetrated. For there to be any change, you are going to have to understand why this “culture of acceptance” has come into being. Cultures tend to “happen” over time without explicit decision making or intention. Getting people to speak about their particular situation and how they see the situation helps open up this “culture” for examination. Sharing your dilemma with someone else – like me – was a good start’. ‘And another thing, you could also find out more about the Aged Care Funding Instrument (ACFI) and how it is intended to work. I can assure you that what you are witnessing is not just happening where you are doing your placement. The claims made by aged care units on the high care needs of residents 1 have exceeded budgetary expectations. After you do that, you might be able to work out what other conversations and actions are possible. If you are still interested in working in the aged care field, you are going to need to come to grips with the way in which funding models and budgetary pressures influence behaviour and practice’.