Healthcare ethics and Research Ethics

Question 1

Define Morality:

Answer 1

Refers to traditions or beliefs about right or wrong conduct

• individuals own code for acceptable behavior
• differs in cultures and societies

Question 2

Define Ethics:

Answer 2

Uniform across the world

• The philosophical study of the moral values of human conduct and the rules and principles that ought to govern it
• deals with rightness or wrongness of human behavior

Question 3

Define Healthcare Ethics:

Answer 3

A set of moral principles, beliefs and values that guide us in making choices about medical care

Question 4

Define Research Ethics:

Answer 4

The application of fundamental ethical principles to planning, conducting and publishing of research

Question 5

History: Hippocratic Oath

Answer 5

In the oath the physician pledges

• to prescribe only beneficial treatments according to his abilities and judgement
• to refrain from causing harm or hurt

Fun facts:
An oath which is still used in graduation ceremonies of many medical schools
-Ethical code attributed to the ancient Greek physician Hippocrates

Question 6

First modern code of medical ethics

Answer 6

Thomas Percival (1740-1804) a physician and author, who wrote an early code of “medical ethics” in 1803

the book present guidelines for conduct in medical practice medical practice

AMA American Medical Association adapted Percival’s code in 1847 for the professional conduct of physicians and surgeons

Question 7

Human experimentation- medical ethics:

Answer 7

Medical ethics in the 18th century was determined by the personal integrity of the physician

Sir James Young Simpson (1811-1870)
became famous for his discovery of the anesthetic qualities of chloroform in 1847

Edward Jenner (1749-1823), created the smallpox vaccine, the world's first ever vaccine in 1789
-vaccinated his child

Question 8

The Nuremberg Code 1947

Answer 8

War crimes trials were held in the highly symbolic city of Nuremberg, Germany after WWII

The judges issued the verdicts accusing Nazi doctors conducting murderous and torturous human experiments in the concentration camps (the so-called Doctors’ Trial) in august 1947

• The Nuremberg code was published later in 1947 and highlighted 10 ethical principles
• the underlying principle is autonomy or voluntariness

Question 9

Declaration of Helsinki 1964

Answer 9

Focuses on the obligations of clinical investigators to research subjects
Ethical guideline about researchers’ roles and responsibilities when it comes to protecting human subjects

Basic principles include:
respect for individuals, the right to make informed decisions, recognition for vulnerable groups

Question 10

Belmont report 1978:

Answer 10

A response to ethical controversies in biomedical research in the 1960s and 1970s 
(in Tuskegee Syphilis Study) 1932-1972 
3 basic principles:
1-Respect for Individuals 
2- Beneficence 
3-Justice

Question 11

What are the 4 ethical principles?

Answer 11

Beneficence
Non-Maleficence
Justice
Autonomy

Question 12

Explain the ethical principle Beneficence:

Answer 12

Meaning to act in the best interest of others

Providing benefits

Question 13

Explain the ethical principle Non-Maleficence

Answer 13

Meaning to do no harm to an individual, either unintentionally or deliberately
Harm, mentally and physically
Balancing those benefits against potential risks/harms

Question 14

Explain the ethical principle Justice:

Answer 14

A healthcare professional must treat all individuals equally with an equitable, appropriate distribution of resources

Question 15

Explain the ethical principle Respect for Autonomy:

Answer 15

The right to self determination
Individuals right to accept or refuse any given treatment
-Healthcare providers need to respect patient’s rights to make choices about healthcare, even if the healthcare providers do not agree with the patient’s decision

Question 16

What is Informed Consent?

Answer 16

Process in which patients are given important information, including possible risks and benefits about a medical procedure or treatment, genetic testing or a clinical trial
-important in law and ethics

Question 17

What are the 3 conditions that need to be satisfied in informed consent?

Answer 17

1. The individual’s decision is voluntary
2. The decision is made with an appropriate understanding of the circumstances, such as:
   - the expected benefits, burdens, risks and reasonable alternatives
3. The individual’s capability to give informed consent

Question 18

The ability to give informed consent depends on:

Answer 18

1. Patient freedom of choice
2. Adequate disclosure of information
3. Patient comprehension of information
4. Patient capacity for decision making

Question 19

Significance of ethical principles and laws:

Answer 19

By abiding by ethical principles and guideline the rights, safety and well-being of clinical trials subjects/ patients will be protected