*Ethics

Question 1

What is the legal age of capacity in Scotland?

Answer 1

16 (before this age though we should assess if the patient has capacity to make a decision or not)

Question 2

What is ethics?

Answer 2

The study of what is morally right and what is morally wrong (critical approach, based on rational argument)

Question 3

What are the 3 levels of medical ethics?

Answer 3

Laws (both written and case law)
Guidelines and recommendations (e.g. GMC guidance)
Ethics as ability to critically and morally reason (when there is no black and white correct answer - applying reasons to individual cases)

Question 4

Deontology?

Answer 4

“Is the act right or wrong in itself?”

Respecting patient’s right to make decisions - values of rationality, free will, autonomy, duty of care, dignity

Question 5

Consequentialism (C)/ Utilitarianism (U)?

Answer 5

“What consequences will the act have?”
“Do the benefits outweigh the risks?”
C = whether some action is right or wrong depends upon consequences
U = act always to maximise the greatest happiness of the greatest number of people

Question 6

Communitarianism/ community ethics?

Answer 6

Very similar to Utilitarianism
“Is the act good for everyone that be affected by the act?”
Social justice is an important value here

Question 7

Virtue ethics?

Answer 7

“Am i being honest to myself and consistent in my acts?”

Question 8

Religious theories?

Answer 8

“Does the act respect the sanctity of human life?”

This is quite difficult as different peoples believes in religion can be different

Question 9

What are the 4 main medical principles according to Beauchamp and Childress?

Answer 9

Respect for autonomy (respecting the patient’s capacity of free will and independent decision-making)
Beneficence (balancing of benefits of treatment against risks and costs - acting for the good of others)
Non-maleficence (avoiding causing harm)
Justice (fair distribution of benefits risks and costs, fair resource allocation, social justice)