Medical Ethics

Question 1

Autonomy

Answer 1

The right of an individual to make self-governing decisions that are free from coercion

Question 2

Conditions to be fulfilled by an individual making an autonomous decision

Answer 2

• adequate decisional-capacity - understand information communicated & can communicate a choice
• well-informed of the benefits, consequences (risks) & alternative options that come with making a particular choice

Question 3

Beneficence

Answer 3

Acting in the best interests of the patient by doing good & promoting what will enhance the patient welfare, considering their values & preferences

Question 4

Non-maleficence

Answer 4

Avoiding harm by inflicting the least amount of preventable harm possible

Question 5

How to abide by non-maleficence?

Answer 5

Justification through a cost-benefit analysis to determine if a particular course of action will produce a positive outcome for the individual or leave them worse off overall (often by extending their suffering)

Question 6

Justice

Answer 6

• Fair & equitable distribution of medical resources to individuals based on their clinical needs rather than non-clinical factors such as gender, ethnicity, political orientation or wealth status.
• Promoting equality in society, particularly in healthcare settings

Question 7

The process to answer an MMI question

Answer 7

1. Utilitarianism - selecting an option that produces the greatest amount of benefit for the most number of people
2. Beneficence & non-maleficence
3. Consequentialism - the ends (outcome) justifying the means (methods) used to attain that outcome