Medical Ethics and Law

Question 1

What are ethics?

Answer 1

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

Question 2

Where do ethical principles come from?

Answer 2

Duties - right or wrong actions by individuals or groups (DEONTOLOGY)

Considering benefit/harm to individual and society - i.e looking at the consequences on society on whole (UTILITARIANISM)

Question 3

What comprises ethics?

Answer 3

Principles, values, honesty, standards

Question 4

What is morality?

Answer 4

Our attitudes, behaviours and relations to one another

Question 5

What is consequentialism?

Answer 5

Moral worth of an action is determined by its outcome

Question 6

Define utilitarianism?

Answer 6

The greatest good for the greatest number of people

Question 7

What must be done under the duty of candour?

Answer 7

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