Introduction to Medical Ethics

Question 1

Define ethics.

Answer 1

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

Question 2

What comprises ethics?

Answer 2

• principles
• values
• honesty
• standards, rules of behaviour that guide the descisions

Question 3

Define morality.

Answer 3

Our attitudes, behaviours and relations to one another.

Question 4

Recite the famous quote by Immanuel Kant.

Answer 4

“act only in such a way that you would be happy for it to become a universal law”

Question 5

Define consequentialism.

Answer 5

The moral worth of an action is determined by its outcome.

Question 6

Which two traditions do ethical principles come form?

Answer 6

• Deontology (duties, ‘right’ and ‘wrong’ actions, absolute values)
• Utilitarianism (look at benefits and harm to individual and society; look at the consequences)

Question 7

How are ethical and clinical decisions made?

Answer 7

• duties

- the four principles

Question 8

List the duties of a doctor registered with the GMC.

Answer 8

• Make the care of your patient your first concern
• Treat every patient politely and considerately
• Respect patients’ dignity and privacy
• Listen to patients and respect their views
• 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 the limits of your professional competence
• Be honest and trustworthy
• Respect and protect confidential information
• Make sure that your personal beliefs do not prejudice your patients’ care
• Act quickly to protect patients from risk if you have good reason to believe that you or a colleague may not be fit to practice
• Avoid abusing your position as a doctor
• Work with colleagues in the ways that best serve patients’ interests

Question 9

Name and define the four ethical principles.

Answer 9

• Respect for Autonomy (promote the right to self-determination through confidentiality, informed consent)
• Non-malfeasance (the avoidance of harm)
• Beneficence (to do good)
• Justice (fairness/equity)

Question 10

Describe what is expected withing the duty of candour.

Answer 10

• you must be open and honest with patients when something does wrong with a patient’s treatment or care
• you must appologise to the patient and offer an appropriate remedy or support and explain fully the long and short term effects of what has happened
• you must be open and honest with all third parties
• you must raise concerns where appropriate if you believe a patient’s best interests potentially have been or actually have been compromised
• you should encourage other peers and colleagues to be open and honest