All Flashcards
Define confidentiality.
Keeping or being kept secret/private
What are the 4 domains of good medical practice?
- Knowledge, skills and performance
- Safety and quality
- Communication, partnership and teamwork
- Maintaining trust
What is the only exception to confidentiality rules?
Medical certificate with cause of death
What does the common law say regarding confidentiality?
Doctor must not disclose info unless legal basis
What are the 6 principles that GDPR is based around?
- Be processed lawfully
- Be processed for specific, explicit and legitimated purposes
- Be adequate, relevant and limited to what is necessary
- Accurate and up-to-date
- Kept for no longer than necessary
- Be secure
What does the GMC say in their confidentiality guidance?
- Use minimum necessary info
- manage and protect info
- be aware of responsibilities
- comply with the law
- share relevant info for direct care
- ask for explicit consent
- tell patients
- support patients to access info
Discuss situations where confidentiality can be breached.
- With patient’s consent
- With other medical practitioners in patients interest
- In doctors own defence
- Statutory requirements
- When directed by a court
- Protection of others
- Child abuse
What is Quintuple Jeopardy?
Complaint procedure - 5 steps
What are the 5 steps taken when a complaint is made?
Local complaints (must reply) Disciplinary action Civil claim (less common in UK) Medical council Criminal prosecution
What happens with a complaint with regards to the GMC?
Complaint -> GMC case worker -> case examiners -> MPTS -> sanctions can be imposed -> all parties have right to appeal
Give examples of types of criminal allegation.
prescription fraud, indecent assault, manslaughter
What is the difference between civil and criminal law?
Civil = individuals vs organisation, compensation, no one sent to prison
Criminal = affect society, criminal prosecution by state, court
Define medical negligence.
A lack of reasonable care and skill as a result of which the patient suffers
What are the 4 pillars of medical ethics?
- Autonomy
- Beficience
- Justice
- Non-maleficence
What is autonomy?
Promote right to self determination, cannot force patient under normal circumstances to accept treatment
What is beneficence?
Must always do what benefits the patient
What is non-maleficence?
Must do no harm
What is justice?
Act in a fair way and within the law
Fairness/equity
Individual vs. population
What are ethics?
Body of moral principles or values governing or distinctive of a particular culture or group
Principles, Values, Honesty, Standards
Where do ethics come from?
2 traditions: deontology (duties - wrong/right, absolute values), utilitarianism (consider benefits/harms to individuals and society)
What is consequentialism?
Type of utilitarianism. Normal worth of an action is determined by its outcomes.
What is morality?
Attitudes, behaviours and relations to one another.
What is a duty of candour?
Be open and honest when something goes wrong with patients care which can cause or have the potential to cause harm.
What are the “Big 3” in relation to social media use?
- Maintain patient confidentiality
- Don’t accept friend requests from patients
- Remain professional online
Define defamation.
Damaging the good reputation of someone (Scot’s Law will compensate wronged party)
What must consent be?
Voluntary + informed + capacity
What is consent?
Give permission before receiving any type of medical treatment, test or examination
Describe types of expression of consent.
- Implied or verbal e.g for BP
- Express e/g routine bloods
- Written e.g surgery
How do you receive informed consent?
Discuss practicalities, benefits/risks if done and benefits/risks if not done
How do you assess capacity?
Based on whether they can understand, believe, retain and weigh necessary info
What can be obstacles to capacity?
Impaired intellectual/mental capacity Intoxication Communication difficulties Unconsciousness Age
What are the principles of the act concerning confidentiality?
Any action/decision must benefit Least restrictive option Take account of person's wishes Consultation with relevant others Encourage existing/new skills
What are the two different types of power of attorney?
Financial
Welfare
What are the age restrictions for capacity?
16 or over - can consent
Under 16 - can consent if believed to be Gillick competent
If young person refuses treatment can this be overruled?
Yes in a court of protection
What do the Fraser guidelines apply to?
Contraception in under 16s
Define a complaint.
Expression of dissatisfaction that requires a response
What is the most common reason for a complaint?
Poor communication
How do you deal with complaints?
Seek support from seniors, defence organisation, guidance, BMA, student support
What is the SPSO?
Scottish Complaints Procedure Public Service Ombudsman
- -> redress and recommendations to board
- -> SEA carried out
Discuss the NHS Scotland complaints procedure (2017).
Complaint officer has 5 days to respond
Document
Acknowledge in 3 days if formal procedure
Written or verbal response or meeting
Full response in 20 days
If dissatisfied consider mitigation and contact NHS Ombudsman within 28 days
Name a set of guidance for complaints.
‘Raising and acting on concerns about patient safety’ (GMC)
When should you raise a concern with the GMC?
- can’t raise with responsible person/local authority
- if unsatisfied through local channels
- immediate risk to patients
What is an ethical dilemma?
Situation in which a difficult choice had to be made between 2 courses of action
Give 3 examples of case scenarios relating to genetic controversies.
Huntington’s disease
Pre-natal testing
Breast cancer gene mutation
With regards to genetic controversies and supporting patients this can have a personal impact. What should you do?
Be self aware
Seek support, discuss cases with others
Maintain objective approach