ETHICS OF PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES OF SOCIAL WORKERS IN THE FIELD OF HEALTH: THE AMERICAN EXPERIENCE

The aim: Coverage of the American experience of successful application of professional ethics of social workers in the field of health to solve complex ethical dilemmas in the activity of a social worker.

Materials and methods: The methodological basis of the study was the use of an axiological approach in identifying the values and ethics of the professional activity of social workers, a competence approach in determining the competence of a social work specialist in the field of health in matters of professional ethics, an interdisciplinary approach in integrating the ethical competence of a social work specialist in the practice of solving ethical dilemmas in the field of health, including in the process of work of an interdisciplinary team of specialists.

Conclusions: The content and specifics of the practical application of the Code of Professional Ethics of the National Association of Social Workers of the USA in social work in the field of health were studied. It was determined that many situations in the practice of social work do not have simple answers when solving complex ethical issues in the field of health. Social workers, in addition to the values, principles and standards of the Code, in making decisions about professional actions in the field of health, must take into account their own beliefs and those of the client. The mechanism for the adjustment of difficult ethical choice cases in the practice of a social worker in the field of health is described.