Intro to medical ethics & law

Question 1

Duties of a doctor according to GMC

Answer 1

Make the care of your patient your first concern

Treat every patient politely and considerately

Respect patients dignity and privacy

Give patients information in a way that they can understand

Respect the rights of patients to be fully involved in decisions about their care

Keep your professional knowledge and skills up to date

Recognise your own limitations

Be honest and trustworthy

Respect and protect confidential information

Do not allow your personal beliefs to prejudice your patients’ care

Avoid abusing your position as a doctor

Question 2

Define ethics

Answer 2

The body of moral principles or values governing or distinctive of a particular cultureor group

Question 3

Ethical principles come from 2 traditions

Answer 3

1. Duties: “right” + “wrong”; actions by individuals or groups
2. Considering the benefits and harms to individual and society; looking at the consequences not just to the individual

Question 4

What 4 things comprise ethics (4)

Answer 4

Principles

Values

Honesty

Standards and rules of behaviour that guide decisions

Question 5

Define consequentialism

Answer 5

The moral worth of an action is determined by its outcome

Question 6

Define deontology

Answer 6

ethical theory that the morality of an action should be based on whether that action itself is right or wrong under a series of rules, rather than based on the consequences of the action

Question 7

Define utilitarianism

Answer 7

A type of consequentialism, which determines right from wrong by focusing on outcomes

It holds that the most ethical choice is the one that will produce the greatest good for the greatest number (maximising happiness)

Question 8

4 pillars of ethics

Answer 8

Autonomy
Non-maleficence
Beneficence
Justice

Question 9

What does autonomy refer to

Answer 9

The right and capacity to decide for oneself

Question 10

What does non-maleficence refer to

Answer 10

To avoid harm

Question 11

What does beneficence refer to

Answer 11

To do good

Question 12

What does justice refer to

Answer 12

whether an action is compatible with the law and the rights of the individual, and whether it is fair and balanced from a societal perspective, i.e. non-discriminating, equal treatment for equal need

Question 13

What does the GMC say about a non-judgemental approach

Answer 13

must not discriminate on grounds of age, colour, culture, disability, ethnic origin, gender, race or religion

Question 14

It’s important to not impose what on patients

Answer 14

our personal views

-shouldn’t let this affect treatment and should respect patients’ views

Question 15

What does fitness to practise refer to

Answer 15

Not just about competency

You have a 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

Question 16

What is a duty of candour

Answer 16

Every healthcare professional must be open and honest with patients when something that goes wrong with their treatment or care causes, or has the potential to cause, harm

• tell the patient (or carer) when something has gone wrong
• apologise to the patient (or carer)
• offer an appropriate remedy or support (if possible)
• explain fully to the patient (or carer) the short and long term effects of what has happened.