Beneficence versus respect for autonomy: an ethical dilemma in social work practice.

Ethical dilemmas are an integral part of the practitioner's reality and impact upon the quality of care provided to the resident. The establishment of ethical principles aims to guide the worker through difficult scenarios involving morals, values and beliefs. Often, these precepts contradict one another and are strongly bound to the practitioner's and the resident's standpoints. The ethical principles of beneficence and respect for autonomy pose a conflict in judgment regarding an elderly woman's care in an 816-bed long term care facility. The contributing parties to the conflict are the medical staff, social worker and the resident. The ethical dilemma will be analyzed according to the utilitarian and deontological theories. Resolution to the conflict is offered at the conclusion.