Use a deidentified example where professional values, duties, or competing interests create uncertainty. First address urgent safety needs and time-sensitive responsibilities. This page helps organize what you know and what you need to verify; it cannot decide what the law or professional code requires.
How to use this page
Distinguish facts from assumptions, identify the applicable authorities, and plan consultation before relying on a preferred interpretation.
Locate the conflict
Name whose interests and rights may be affected. Separate what occurred from predictions and personal discomfort. Identify the actual jurisdiction, professional role, setting, consent arrangements, and relevant policy questions without writing unnecessary identifiers.
Make the question answerable
Ask a qualified consultant about a specific uncertainty. Record which current code, rule, or policy needs checking and how you will document the decision process. A worksheet is not permission to postpone an action that is already required.
Reflection prompts
Use these questions in conversation, on paper, or in the downloaded PDF. You may adapt or skip a prompt.
What specific ethical question remains unresolved after urgent needs are addressed?
Which verified facts, affected interests, and assumptions matter?
What current authority or qualified consultation do I need?
What action, rationale, and follow-up must I document accurately?
Facilitator notes and adaptation
Protect confidentiality and use approved consultation channels. Rules vary by role, jurisdiction, setting, and facts. Do not present this as a reporting algorithm or legal compliance checklist. Seek appropriate current professional or legal guidance and document only steps actually taken.
Sources behind the concepts
These sources inform the concepts in this original resource. They do not validate or endorse this specific page.
Professional ethics resources for consent, confidentiality, collaboration, documentation, supervision, and consultation. Check the current applicable code, licensing board rules, law, and organizational requirements.