medical ethics

Question 1

what are the duties of a doctor registered with the GMC

Answer 1

make the care of your patient first concern
treat every patient politely and considerately
respect patients’ dignity and privacy
give patients information in the way they can understand
recognize your limits
respect and protext information
be honest and trustworthy

Question 2

what is ethics

Answer 2

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

Question 3

where do ethical principles come from and what are the two traditions

Answer 3

Duties: “right” & “wrong”; actions by individuals or groups
‘absolute values’

2. Considering the benefits and harms to individual and society; looking at the consequences not just to the individual.

Question 4

what compresses ethics?

Answer 4

Principles
Values
Honesty
Standards, rules of behaviour that guide the decisions, procedures and conduct of individuals that respect the rights of all stakeholders affected by its operations”.
Do you have anything you would wish to add?

Question 5

what do we mean by morality

Answer 5

Our attitudes, behaviours and relations to one another

Question 6

what are the four principles

Answer 6

Respect for Autonomy
Non-malfeasance
Beneficence
Justice

Question 7

what is autonomy?

Answer 7

Promote the right to self determination

Confidentiality, informed consent, promote capacity

Question 8

what is non-malfeasance?

Answer 8

The avoidance of harm

Question 9

what is beneficence?

Answer 9

to do good

Question 10

what is justice

Answer 10

Fairness/ equity
Individual vs. population
Non discrimination
Equal treatment for equal need
Individual vs. population
Rationing
Limits to autonomy

Question 11

what are 5 important thiings with ethics and being a good doctor?

Answer 11

Non-judgmental approach
Not imposing personal views & respecting patients’ views
Confidentiality
Not exceeding your competency
Fitness to practise

Question 12

what is the non-judgemental approach?

Answer 12

Deserving vs. undeserving patients?
It doesn’t matter how the patient got his/her condition / complaint

GMC guide 2006: you must not discriminate on grounds of age, colour, culture, disability, ethnic or national origin, gender, lifestyle, marital or parental status, race, religion or beliefs, sex, sexual orientation, or social or economic status.

Question 13

explain “Not Imposing Your Personal Views and Respecting Patients’ Views”

Answer 13

fair presentation of facts/options
not letting your views affect your advice/actions
(Should you divulge your opinions?)
willingness to refer elsewhere
not bullying/belittling etc (also applies to colleagues, juniors, other health workers etc)

Question 14

explain confidentiality

Answer 14

Basis of trust
“Need to know” basis (including discussion of cases with others)
Rare occasions where confidentiality may/should be breached

Question 15

explain “not exceeding your competency”

Answer 15

Applicable at all stages of the undergraduate medical course and your subsequent career.
What about patients’ competency?
How much competency is needed to obtain consent?

Question 16

what do you know about fitness to practice?

Answer 16

You have a specific duty to take appropriate action to protect patients, not just by your own actions but also to protect patients if you or others are unfit to practise.

Question 17

in what situations should you “raise concerns”

Answer 17

What does this mean? 
 Drugs?
 Alcohol?
 Poor performance – 
			What is underperformance?
			When is it difference of opinion?
 How do we raise concerns?
 When do we raise concerns?
 What about problems with ‘superiors’?

Question 18

what is the point in the university of aberdeen ethical code for medical students

Answer 18

Preparing you for practice
Preparing you for life as a doctor
Ensuring that your life as a student does not land you in trouble whilst a student or thereafter

Question 19

what does the ethical code include

Answer 19

I understand and will uphold that all those caring for and treating patients are bound by a Duty of Candour”

Question 20

what is the duty of candour

Answer 20

This means that 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.

You must apologise to the patient and offer an appropriate remedy or support to put matters right (if possible) and explain fully the short and long term effects of what has happened.