Medical Ethics Flashcards
What are examples of professional and ethical responsibilities that doctors have?
Demonstrating compassionate, professional behaviour.
Maintaining confidentiality.
Acting with integrity.
Recognising personal limits.
Seek patient consent.
Be open and honest.
What specific legislations must a doctor follow?
Abortion Act.
Human Rights Act.
Equalities Act.
Mental Health Act.
DVLA regulations.
What are the key points of the Hippocratic Oath?
Prescribe only beneficial treatments, according to your own abilities and judgement.
Refrain from causing harm.
Live an exemplary personal and professional life.
What is autonomy?
Promote the right to self determination.
Confidentiality and informed consent.
What are non-maleficence and beneficence?
NM - the avoidance of harm.
B - to do good.
What is justice?
Fairness and equity.
Non-discrimination, equal treatment for equal needs.
The rights of the individual and society.
What is consent?
Central to medicine.
Required for performing an operation, medical intervention or medication (otherwise it is an offence in law).
What is confidentiality?
The basis of trust.
Personal information, including the discussion of the case with others, is on a ‘need to know’ basis.
Rare conditions may occur where confidentiality is breached (murder, manslaughter, rape, treason, kidnapping, child abuse).
What is the Duty of Candour?
You must be open and honest with patients when something goes wrong with a patient’s treatment or care which causes, or has the potential to cause, harm or distress.
What are the duties of a doctor registered with the GMC?
Knowledge, skills and performance.
Safety and quality.
Communication, partnership and teamwork.
Maintaining trust.
