Principles of Medical Ethics and Law Flashcards
Charlie Gard Case
Charlie was born healthy in 2016 but after the first few weeks his parents noticed that he was less developed than babies of a similar age
Charlie was diagnosed with Mitochondrial Depletion syndrome
MDDS has no treatment and usually causes death in infancy. The case became controversial because the medical team and parents disagreed about whether experimental treatment was in the best interests of the child.
His parents lost the case against the Court of Appeal, Court of Human Rights and Supreme Court
Which levels of governance exist to regulate doctors?
GMC
Professional Standards Authority - above the GMC regulating it
Health Boards
NHS trusts
The law
Which 2 traditions do Ethical Principles come from?
Duties: Absolute right and wrong actions
Utilitarianism: Considering the benefits and harms to the individual and society; looking at the consequences of an action
What comprises Ethics?
Principles
Honesty
Standards, rules of behaviour that guide the decisions, procedures and conduct of individuals
Values
What is meant by morality?
Our attitudes, behaviours and relations to one another
Define consequentialism
The moral worth of an action is determined by its outcome
What is Deontology?
The ethical theory that the morality of an action should be based on whether that action itself is right or wrong under a series of rules
What is utilitarianism?
A type of consequentialism
Ethical theory where you look at the the greatest good for the greatest number
Looks at the consequences of an action
What are the 4 principles of Ethics?
Respect for Autonomy
Non-maleficence
Beneficence
Justice
Give examples of when a doctor shows respect for Autonomy
Patient confidentiality
Informed consent
Promote capacity
Justice principle in healthcare
Fairness and equity - non discrimination and equal treatment for equal need
Need to think of the individual and the population - rationing medications etc
Ethics and healthcare
Non-judgmental approach
Not imposing personal views & respecting patients’ views
Confidentiality
Not exceeding your competency
Should always be fit to practice + report others if you are concerned about their fitness to practice
Duty of Candour
A statutory (legal) duty to be open and honest with patients, or their families, when something has gone wrong that appears to have caused or could lead to significant harm in the future (even if the patient is not aware or has not complained).
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.
You must be honest with your employer, practice principal or health board and take part in reviews and investigations when requested
