Medical Ethics Intro

Question 1

What medical legislations are important in medical practice?

Answer 1

• Abortion act 1967
• Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2015
• Equalities Act Scotland 2010
• Human Rights Act 1998
• Mental Health act Scotland 2015
• Adults with incapacity act Scotland 2000
• The children act 1995
• DVLA regulations

Question 2

Define ethics

Answer 2

Body of moral principles, standards or values governing or distinctive to a particular culture or group

Question 3

What are the 4 principles of medical practice?

Answer 3

• Respect for Autonomy
• Non-malfeasance
• Beneficence
• Justice

Question 4

What underlies the “ Respect for Autonomy” principle?

Answer 4

• Promote the right to self-determination
• Confidentiality, informed consent

Question 5

How may an individual’s autonomy may be restricted by society?

Answer 5

1) Abortion
2) Reproductive rights
3) Euthanasia and assisted suicide

Question 6

What underlines the “ Non-malfeasance principle”?

Answer 6

Avoid causing harm

• Ambiguous: operations, euthanasia/ physician-assisted suicide

Question 7

What underlines the “ Justice” principle?

Answer 7

• Fairness/equity: non-discrimination, equal treatment for equal need
  
  • Non-judgmental approach
  • Not imposing personal views & respecting patients’ views
  • Not exceeding your competency
  • fair presentation of facts/options
  • not letting your views affect your advice/action
  • willingness to refer elsewhere
  • not bullying/belittling etc (also applies to colleagues, juniors, other health workers etc)
• Individual vs. population: rationing, limits to autonomy- rights of the individual vs. society