Introduction to Ethics + Law Flashcards
What are the 3 main theories?
Virtue Ethics
Consequentialism
Deontology ( includes rights // justice ).
Explain virtue ethics in more detail.
Good practice as practice which results from virtuous moral character of the doctor promotes good for the patient.
Explain consequentialism in more detail.
Good practice is consisting of securing good outcomes for patients and society.
Explain deontology in more detail.
Practicing medicine in accordance with ethical rules and principles.
Name some examples of ethical tools used.
The Four Principles approach
The Paradigm Case Process
Structured Case Analysis Model
Ethical Grid
Name the four principles used in the ‘Four Principles Approach’.
Non - Maleficence
Benefiicence
Autonomy
Justice
What is non - maleficence?
Do NO harm -> inflict the least amount of harm.
What is beneficence?
Promote goodness -> do good.
What is autonomy?
Patients can make their own decisions about their medical care ; without their healthcare provider trying to influence the decision.
What is justice?
Element of fairness in ALL medical decisions.
What are the four quadrants in the ‘Four Quadrants Approach’?
Medical Indications
Patient Preferences
Quality of Life
Contextual Features
What does medical indications mean?
Establish a diagnosis
- What are the options for treatment.
- What is the prognoses for each of the options?
What does patient preferences mean?
Is the patient competent? -> If no, what does he // she want.
= What is the patients best interest.
What does quality of life mean?
Will the proposed treatment IMPROVE the patient’s quality of life.
What does contextual features mean?
Does religious // cultural // legal factors have an impact on the decision?
What does moral mediocrity mean?
Aiming to be morally as good as your peers.
What does the Nuremberg code mean?
This was a set of ethical principles set up for prevention of human experimentation.
What was the ‘Declaration of Helsinki’ mean?
Prevents human subjects from being mistreated.
What does HTA mean?
HUMAN TISSUES ACT
Respect to activities such as human tissue -> provision about the transfer of human remains from certain museum collections.
What does DPA mean?
DATA PROTECTION ACT
Used in order to process personal data safely.
What does MCA mean?
MENTAL CAPACITY ACT
Provide legal framework for acting // making decisions on behalf of adults who LACK the capacity to make particular decisions.
Name some key ethical issues.
Scientific Validity Consent Confidentiality Balance of risks v benefits Equipoise Placebo Reciprocity
What is scientific validity?
Asks whether the research question is relevant and whether it is important.
What does permission mean?
Consent must be voluntary // informed // made by a capable individual.
What is the research ethics committee?
They can be local or multi - centre.
They have 12 - 18 members and can offer ethical review.
They CAN’T give legal advice.
