Principles of Medical Ethics and Law Flashcards

1
Q

Why might doctors be considered to be ‘powerful’?

A
  • Might be able to look at you naked
  • Might be able to cut you open
  • Might tell you that you are going to die
  • Can decide that is in your best interests
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2
Q

Where do doctors rank in a list of most trusted professions?

A

Most trusted profession

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3
Q

What are ethics?

A

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

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4
Q

Ethical principles can come from two traditions, what are these?

A
  1. Duties (known as deontology)
    1. “Right and wrong” actions by individuals or groups
    2. Known as absolute values
  2. Considering the benefits and harms to individuals and society, looking at the consequences not just to the individual (known as utilitarianism which is a type of consequentialism)
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5
Q

What comprises ethics?

A
  • Principles
  • Values
  • Honesty
  • Standards, rules of behaviour that guides decisions, procedures and conduct of individuals
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6
Q

What is morality?

A

Our attitudes, behaviours and relations to one another

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7
Q

What is consequentialism?

A

The moral worth of an action is determined by its outcome

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8
Q

What is utilarianism?

A

Is the greatest good for the greatest number (maximising pleasure/happiness and minimising pain/unhappiness)

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9
Q

What are medical ethics and clinical decisions based on?

A
  1. Duties
  2. Four principles
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10
Q

What are some of the duties of a doctor registered with the GMC?

A
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11
Q

What are the 4 principles?

A
  • Respect for autonomy
    • Promote the right to self determination
    • Confidentiality, informed consent, promote capacity
  • Non-malfeasance
    • The avoidance of harm
  • Beneficence
    • To do good
  • Justice
    • Fairness/equity
      • Non discrimination
      • Equal treatment for equal need
    • Individual vs population
      • Rationing
      • Limits to autonomy
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12
Q

What does respect for autonomy mean?

A
  • Promote the right to self determination
  • Confidentiality, informed consent, promote capacity
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13
Q

What does non-malfeasance mean?

A

The avoidance of harm

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14
Q

What does beneficence mean?

A

To do good

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15
Q

What does justice consider?

A
  • Fairness/equity
    • Non discrimination
    • Equal treatment for equal need
  • Individual vs population
    • Rationing
    • Limits to autonomy
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16
Q

Other than the 4 principles, what else is considered when approaching medical ethics?

A
  • Non-judgemental approach
    • It doesn’t matter how the patient got to their condition/complaint
    • Examples of things you cannot discriminate based ona re age, colour, culture, disability, ethnicity, gender, lifestyle, martial status, race, religion
  • Not imposing personal views and respecting patients views
  • Confidentiality
    • Need to know basis
    • Rare occasion when confidentiality should be breached
  • Not exceeding your competency
  • Fitness to practice
17
Q

What, of particular note, does the ethical code include of all healthcare workers?

A

Duty of Candour

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

18
Q

What does a Duty of Candour mean?

A

This means must be honest with patients when something goes wrong, and also with your employer, practice principles or Health Authority or Board and take part in reviews and investigations when requested

Must then apologise to patient and offer appropriate remedy or support to try and put the matter right, and explain the short and long term effects of what has happened

Must raise concerns where appropriate if you believe patients best interests have been compromised