Ethics in Everyday Care: Supporting Exceptional Care through Values-Based Decision-Making
Published Monday, November 3, 2025
Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre's Bioethicist, Michelle Allain.
Every day, patients, families, and health care teams at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC) face choices that do not always have an easy answer. Whether it is deciding on a treatment plan or navigating differing opinions about what's best for a loved one, these moments can be emotional and complex. That is where the Hospital's ethics service can help.
Ethics is about doing what's right — not just medically, but in a way that respects people's values, beliefs, and experiences. The ethics service at TBRHSC supports patients, families, and staff in exploring difficult questions with compassion and clarity. “The ethics service helped us find a path forward that balanced safety with what mattered most to the patient,” shared one care team member. “It helped everyone feel heard."
Consider this example: a patient nearing the end of life was torn between wanting to spend as much time as possible at home with family and accepting a treatment that might extend life but require a long hospital stay. The care team, along with the Bioethicist, helped the patient and family talk openly about what mattered most — comfort, time together, and dignity. Together, they reached a decision that aligned with the patient's values and wishes.
This is ethics in everyday care — helping people make informed, values-based decisions that reflect what's truly important to them.
At TBRHSC, ethics is woven into exceptional care every day. The Bioethicist and Ethics Committee, made up of staff and Patient Family Advisors, offer guidance and support for a wide range of situations — from bedside decisions to Hospital-wide policies.
During National Ethics Week (November 2–8), TBRHSC joins hospitals across Canada in recognizing the vital role of ethics in compassionate, patient-centered care — care that honours people's values, builds trust, and supports the well-being of the whole person.