Ethics/Legal

Question 1

ethics is…

Answer 1

branch of philosophy about beliefs and values, right and wrong
concerned with principles of action, choice, responsibility

Question 2

our morals are shaped by? but should be guided by?

Answer 2

shaped by evolutionary history, social norms, cultural and religious values, our experiences

should be guided by reason and giving equal interest to involved parties

Question 3

what are the 4 principles

Answer 3

the most widespread medical ethics framework in which encouraged to make decisions

autonomy
beneficience
non-maleficience
justice

all equal although maybe autonomy is the first equal

Question 4

what is autonomy in ethics and what does it mean for doctor and pt

Answer 4

individuals free to make own care decisions, moves away from medical paternalism

means doctors must communicate info well, pt must not be deceived or coerced

pt: informed consent, capacity, confidentiality

Question 5

beneficience and non maleficience as a doctor

Answer 5

moral duty to do net good and avoid harm

about best interests, benefits vs risk

Question 6

justice in ethics as a doctor

Answer 6

justice in terms of fairness
fair distribution of resources
respect for rights- treat interests equally
repect for law

Question 7

the law is

Answer 7

what is legally permissible at this point in time

is subject to change. legal doesnt mean ethical and vice versa

Question 8

what are the thre systems of law in the UK

Answer 8

England and Wales
Scotland
NI

Question 9

sources of law

Answer 9

acts of parliament
case law- higher court ruling overrules lower (supreme court highest), case law sets precedent
others ie treaties and conventions

Question 10

2 types of law

Answer 10

civil law- common law, claimant vs defendant to compensation

criminal law- the crown vs defendant to sentencing

Question 11

capacity for consent with teenagers

Answer 11

at 16 deemed have capacity to consent

under 16 may have capacity, depdning on maturity, ability to understands the nature, consequences, treatments, weigh and communicte

under 16 may have capacity for low risk but not high

Question 12

what if child lacks capacity to consent

Answer 12

consent from 1 parent usually enough

Question 13

what if child has capacity to consent but parent disagrees with their choice

Answer 13

parent cannot override competent child

Question 14

if don’t have consent of child/ parent but emergency

Answer 14

can give emergency treatment to save life/ prevent rapid deterioration without consent

Question 15

when should you break confidentiality children YPs

Answer 15

same as adult, also if:
overriding public interest in disclosure
is in best interests of YP/child who doesn’t have understanding to decide
when required by law

Question 16

giving contraceptive/ STI advice abortion without parental consent?

Answer 16

yes to u16s if they fully understand, likely to have sex regardless, ph/mh likely to suffer if don’t, if in their best interests

Question 17

parental responsibility=

Answer 17

the rights and responsibilities that parents have in law for their child

Question 18

who automatically has parental responsibility

Answer 18

mothers and married fathers

Question 19

does the unmarried father have parental responsibility

Answer 19

not automatically, but yes, if on birth certificate, othw can acquire with a parental responsibility agreement (same for step parents and civil partners)

Question 20

what happens with parental responsibility in divorce

Answer 20

father does not lose responsibility after divorce

Question 21

who has parental responsibility if child in LA care

Answer 21

parents share with LA

Question 22

what is shared decision making

Answer 22

collaboration between clinician’s expertise and patients preferences

clinician supports pt to make their own choices that are right for them where clinically valid

especially where there is more than 1 reasonable course of action or trade offs in risks or benefits treatments

Question 23

why is shared decision making good

Answer 23

creates partnership, pts want to be involved
empowers pts so better health outcomes, more compliance
improves pt health literacy, improving their and NHS health`
respects autonomy
better adherence
better experience

Question 24

if going to disclose without consent, should:

Answer 24

encourage pt, due process, inform will disclose without consent (unless risks harm), document why

Question 25

when to disclose (without consent)

Answer 25

if benefit to public interest greater than keeping confidential
eg protect indiv/ society from serious harm
- serious communicable diseae
- serious crime
- potential harm to others if not

must share:
public health control of disease act eg cholera, plague
food poisoning
accidents at work
abortion register
births and deaths
misuse of drugs

Question 26

pt is lacking capacity to consent to disclosure, what do you do

Answer 26

mental capacity act assumes capacity unless proven otherwise

if temporarily- keep disclosures to minimum unless emergency

if permanent- discuss what to do with family idk