Medical Ethics Flashcards
What are ethics
The theory it’s the correct thing to do
What are morals
It indicates their practice
What is consequentialism?
An action judged from consequences.
For the best overall consequence, with resources and patients.
What is deontology
When an action is deemed good or bad because it is right in itself
What is autonomy
A persons right to make their own decisions and decide how they live their life.
If the patient has capacity they can decide whether or not to have healthcare intervention, even if refusal lead to death
What is non-maleficence
“Above all do no harm”
Consider the doctrine of double effect
What is beneficence
Doing good for a patient.
Acting in a way that promotes individual wellbeing and acting in their best interests
What is justice
What is right and fair in any situation, such as treating two individuals equal to their needs rather than equal to each other
What is accountability
Taking responsibility.
Being answerable for personal acts, to provide a protecting, deterrent, regulator and educative function
What areas do paramedics face accountability
Criminal law
Civil law
Employment law
Professional regulation
What is medical negligence
Failing to provide the level of care that is expected, which has resulted in harm
What must be in place for medical negligence to be proven
A duty of care
Breach of the DOC
Reasonably foreseeable
And resulting in harm
Compare ‘standards of care’ and ‘duty of care’
SOC- requiring a level of proficiency, competence and professionalism
DOC- level and moral obligation to ensure health, safety and wellbeing of the patient
What is the Tannahill model of health promotion
Three overlapping circles.
- Health education
- Promotion
- Protection
The 6 C’s
Care
Compassion
Commitment
Competency
Courage
Communication
Protected characteristics of the Equality Act 2010
Age
Race
Gender reassignment
Sex
Sexual orientation
Marriage and civil partnership
Religion
Disability
Pregnancy and maternity
The doctrine of double effect
Doing something morally good but having morally bad side effects
Eg cannulation
The Caldicott principles
Justify the purpose of using information
Don’t use unless absolutely necessary
Use minimum necessary data
Access is on a need to know basis
Be aware of responsibilities
Understand and comply with the law
Duty to share info is just as important as protecting it
What is Gillick competency
Under the age of 16 and having enough intelligence and understanding to fully appreciate the risks and benefits of their treatment
What is respect
Due regard for feelings and wishes of others
What is dignity
Care which supports and promotes independence, not undermining them and their differences
What was the Marmot review
Fair Society, Healthy Lives 2010.
To address social issues affecting health
What is the HCPC and its purpose
The HCPC is a register who set standards for professionals such as paramedics or dietitions to meet. The HCPC hold these individuals to the standards and only allow those who meet the standards to register.
They protect the public, ensure individuals are practicing safely and continuously assess competency.
What was the Francis report
Held in 2013 following failings in care identified at Staffordshire Hospital
After patients were found to be left soiled, hungry, thirsty, and with poor care.
What is duty of candour
Being open and honest when something goes wrong.
Being able to apologise and offer support and guidance to those that were affected
What is the court of protection
Oversees operations of the MCA 2005.
Makes decisions on finance and welfare matters for those who lack capacity
What is the Caldicott report
Reviewed in 1997 to look at how patient information is maintained, after concerns for breaching of information.
Legislation relating to confidentiality
Data Protection Act 2018
GDPR
Health and Social Care Act 2015
Human Rights Act 1988
What is confidentiality and what is the duty held under
A duty of confidence when one person discloses information
This duty is held under the law, employment contract and professional conduct
When is a breach in confidentiality allowed
Safeguarding
Serious crime
National security threat
Risk of harm to themselves or others
Terrorism
Births and deaths
Traffic offences
Fraser guidelines
To determine if children under the age of 16 are able to consent to sexual health advice, contraception and treatment without parental consent
Explain EOL care
Support and treatment for individuals in the last hours, days, weeks, months of their life.
About maintaining comfort and reducing treatment.
Allowing individuals to die in dignity by taking in considerations for their wishes, preferences and beliefs
What is the Gold Standards Framework
Providing training and support for health and social care professionals in EOL patients
Duty of confidence
When one person discloses information to another, where it is expected that information will be held in confidence
What is a health record
Information recorded about a person, for the purpose of managing their healthcare
Purpose of record keeping
Primary- support quality, safety and consistency of patient care
Secondary- legal documentation for investigation and improving standards of care
Explain relevant information to be included in health records
Relevant clinical findings
Decisions made
Information given to patients
Any treatment given and why
Other investigations
Pertinent negatives
Only use accepted terminology or abbreviations
Benefits of ePRF
Support and guidance for decision making
Transferable
Integration of other systems
Easier to read and edit
Greater security
What is battery
Intentionally touching a patient without their consent, or consent from a carer if underage, or without capacity (if not justified by the doctrine of necessity)
What is equality
Creating a fairer society
Eliminating prejudice and discrimination
Treating people equally despite differences
What is diversity
Peoples difference
Recognising we are all different and respecting this
What is discrimination
Treating someone unfairly because of who they are or one of the protected characteristics
The difference between bullying and harassment
Bullying- offensive and malicious or insulting behaviour. Intended to humiliate or injure the person.
Harassment- being targeted of unwanted conduct that violates people’s dignity to create an intimidating and hostile environment.
List the gold standards framework 7C’s
Communication
Coordination
Control of symptoms
Continuity of care
Continued learning
Carer support
Care of the dying pathway
What is clinical judgement
Assessing risk Vs benefit
What is competence
Maintaining own professional standards and CPD.
Adhering to standards self by the HCPC, employer and law
What is integrity
Doing the right thing for the right reason
Being honest and showing a consistent adherence to strong moral and ethical values.
What to consider in clinical decision making
Is it
Achievable
Explainable
Justifiable
Defensible
What is a disability
A physical or mental impairment that has substantial or long term adverse effects on the persons ability to carry out normal activities
Models of disability
Medical- disability as a consequence of a health condition, disease or trauma. Disrupts physical and cognitive function
Functional- caused by physical, mental or cognitive deficits. Limits ability to perform functional activities
Social- limited not by impairment but by environment such as barriers or lack of social organisation
What is the social learning theory
That social behaviour is learnt through observing and imitating the behaviour of others
What is the behaviourism learning theory
All behaviours are learnt through interaction with the environment
What is the psychoanalytic learning theory
The theory of personality development
Difference between a safeguarding and a care concern
Safeguarding- an individual is at risk of, or actual harm has been committed in a victim or perpetrator situation
Care concern-not coping, requiring additional support
RADAR
Used for signs of child abuse
Respect
Approach
Discover
Ask
Respond
What is ‘making every contact count’
Designed to support the understanding of public health and factors what impact on a persons health and wellbeing
SBAR
Situation
Background
Assessment
Reccomendation
ATMIST
Age
Time
Mechanism
Injuries
Symptoms
Treatment
