Intro to Medical Ethics and Law Flashcards
Where do ethical principles come from?
- Duties - right and wrongs
2. Consideration of the benefits and harms to individuals and society
What factors comprise ethics?
Principles
Values
Honesty
Standards - rules of behaviour
What is Consequentialism?
Moral worth of an action is determined by its outcome
What is deontology?
Duties - right and wrong actions, absolute values
What is utilitarianism?
Looking at the benefits and harms to individuals but also society as a whole
Look at consequences
What factors drive ethics and clinical decisions?
- Duties
2. Four Principles
What are the four principles of medicine?
- Respect for Autonomy
- Non-malfeasance
- Beneficence
- Justice
What is meant by Respect for Autonomy?
Promote the right to self determination
What is meant by Non-malfeasance?
Avoidance of harm
What is meant by beneficence?
To do good
What is meant by justice?
Fairness/equity
Individual vs population
What are the opportunity costs?
How do you approach a case ethically?
Non-judgemental Not imposing personal views and respecting patient's views Confidentiality Not exceeding competency Fitness to practice
What is meant by a non-judgemental approach?
It doesn’t matter how the patient got their condition
What is meant by not imposing personal views on patients?
Fair representation of facts
Not letting views affect advice
Willingness to refer elsewhere
Not bullying/belittling
What is meant by fitness to practice?
Specific duty to take appropriate action to protect patients, not just by your own actions, but also to protect patients if you or others are unfit to practise
When should you raise a concern?
Drugs
Alcohol
Poor performance
What is the University’s View on the ethical code for medical and dental students?
Prepare you for practice
Prepare you for life as a doctor
Ensure that your life as a student does not land you in trouble
What is the ethical code duty of candour?
I understand and will uphold that all those caring for and treating patients are bound by a duty of candour
What is a duty of candour?
Applies to all healthcare registrants
Must be open and honest with patients when something goes harm
Seek appropriate advice when unsure on consequences
You must apologise to the patient and offer the appropriate remedy
When does a doctors duty of candour dictate they should raise concerns?
When you believe a patient’s best interests potentially have been compromised - should encourage peers to be honest
