Ethics

Question 1

4 Principals of Ethics

Answer 1

1) Beneficence
- Do good (balance risks and benefits)
2) Maleficence
- Do no harm
3) Autonomy
- Respect patient’s decision
- Patients know what is best for themselves, patients feel more fulfilled
- Decision must be made by a competent patient

Question 2

Golden Triad of Moral Philosophy

Answer 2

1) Virtue ethics – an action is right if it is what a virtuous agent would do (e.g. not lying)
2) Consequentialism – action is right if it leads to the best consequences
3) Deontology – action is right if it is in accordance to law and rules

Question 3

4 Quadrants Approach

Answer 3

1) Medical indications
2) Quality of life
3) Patient preference
4) Contextual features

Question 4

Ethics and Professionalism

Answer 4

• Based on the Medical Act 1983, the GMC has 4 functions:
  1) Keep up-to-date registers on qualified doctors
  2) Foster good medical practice
  3) Deliver high standards of medical education and training
  4) Dealing firmly and fairly with doctors whose fitness to practice is in doubt

Question 5

Statue Law

Answer 5

-Law decided by a legislature or government body

Question 6

Common Law

Answer 6

-Decision made by the judge based on the precedent or case

Question 7

Quasi Law

Answer 7

-Rules set out by a regulatory body (e.g. GMC)

Question 8

Confidentiality

Answer 8

-Principle of privacy and respecting the patient’s wishes

When confidentiality can be broken:

1) Acting in the best interest of the patient (e.g. patient poses a risk to self)
2) Withholding Information poses a risk to others (e.g. contagious diseases)
3) Legal requirement

Question 9

Consent

Answer 9

-Consent is the voluntary, uncoerced decision made by a sufficiently competent individual based on adequate information and deliberation, to accept rather than to reject a proposed course of action

Types:

1) Imputed – assumes consent
2) Implied – Patient’s actions suggest consent
3) Expressed – oral/written

Valid consent requires:

1) Voluntary
2) Competent
3) Sufficient information

Question 10

Competence

Answer 10

A competent patient requires the ability to:

1) Understand information presented
2) Weigh up information
3) Retain information long enough to make a decision
4) Communicate back the decision to clinician