Bioethics

Question 1

4 problems in assessing benefit and harm

Answer 1

1. objective vs. subjective judgments: Hippocratic, Modern. Post-Modern
2. medical vs. other benefits
3. conflicting medical goals: save a life, cure disease, relieve suffering, promote health
4. relating benefits to harms: Hippocratic formula (arithmetic, geometric combining), Primum non nocere

Question 2

Consequential vs. Duty-based ethics

Answer 2

1. Fidelity
2. Autonomy
3. Veracity
4. Avoidance of Killing

Question 3

Codes permitting paternalistic disclosures

Answer 3

• Hippocratic oath
• BMA pre-1971
• AMA pre-1980
• SGU Oath

Question 4

Codes NOT permitting paternalistic disclosures

Answer 4

• World Medical Association
• BMA
• AMA

Question 5

3 Groups of incompetent patients

Answer 5

1. Formerly competent patients: proxy/advanced directives
   - moral: autonomy extended
   - legal: substituted judgment
2. Never competent patient without family: surrogate
   - moral: Hippocratic utility
   - legal: best interest
3. Never competent patient with family
   - moral & legal: limited fam. autonomy