Test 1 Flashcards
What are virtue ethics narrowly defined?
A systematic formulation of the traits that make someone praiseworthy or blameworthy
what are virtue ethics broadly defined?
practical wisdom as integrating values with intentions and consequences
how does the book see ethics?
virtue ethics broadly defined (ethics of practical wisdom)
what is the role of society in ethical decision making?
society is the context in which we live our lives; we impact society, and society impacts us
What is ambiguity?
when the facts of the situation don’t provide clarity concerning ethical judgements
What is opacity?
when our knowledge of the situation is so limited that it hampers our ethical reflection
What is a legal right
a right guaranteed by a legal institution
what is a moral right?
a right guaranteed by moral individuals or communities (ie. right to be told the truth(
what is a public good?
public good exists for the good of the individual person, it always precedes the personal good
what are the two “tragedies” of human life?
- don’t always have enough information to make ethical decisions
- sometimes our decisions turn out badly even with all the information
what is applied ethics?
when we look to the concrete and practical rather than to the abstract
What is the definition of medical practice?
primary purpose is to CARE for the patients
What are the models of nursing?
- bureaucratic: knowing protocol, institutional coordination
- physician advocate: extension of physician
- patient advocate : primary goal is to speak on behalf of the patient
What are the models of medicine?
- engineering: MD as applied scientist, treat problem not the person
- Priestly: MD has authority over everything
- Collegial: pt and MD work together as a team
- Contractual: MD performs a service, you pay a specific amount
- Covenant: strong MD patient relationship
What are hospitalists?
certain doctors who are ONLY in the hospital, don’t have private practice outside hospital
What is the healthcare formulation of the principle of autonomy?
You shall not treat a patient without the informed consent of the patient or surrogate except in narrowly defined emergencies
What is autonomy?
when you are the decision maker
What is heteronomy?
When someone else makes decisions for you
What is the ability to make an autonomous decision determined by?
COMPETANCY or incompetency
What are some groups of incompetent people?
- minors
- temporarily incompetent;: drunk, knocked out, etc.
- permanently incompetent: coma
- developmentally delayed
- dementia
Competent and Incompetent are legal terms. What are the corresponding medical terms?
Capable and incapable (in regard to making deicions about their own healthcare)
What is competence?
the ability to make choices based on an understanding of the relevant consequences of that choice on oneself or others
What is important about the information given during informed consent?
the information MUST BE UNDERSTANDABLE TO THE PATIENT –> if no understanding, no consent
What is paternalism?
When one person has authority over another person
How does paternalism exist in a healthcare context?
when a healthcare worker intervenes to stop a patient from harming themselves in a serious way
What is an example of strong paternalism?
overriding the wishes of a competent person –> NOT ethically appropriate
what is an example of weak paternalism
overriding the wishes of an incompetent or doubtfully competent patient
What is therapeutic privilege?
privilege of withholding information from the patient that the MD believes that the disclosure will have an adverse effect on patient’s condition
What is a surrogate?
substitute decision maker for an incompetent patient
What are the three exceptions to obtaining informed consent in emergencies?
- pt. must be incapable of giving consent & no lawful surrogate available
- danger to life or serious impairment of health
- immediate treatment necessary to avert these dangers
Does the patient have the right to refuse treatment/
YES
What is beneficence?
to do good (bene facere)
what limits the principle of beneficence?
the principle of maleficence (first do no harm)
What is the principle of maleficence?
do no harm (non male facere)
How do we determine what good is to be pursued in healthcare?
patient makes the final call, but it should be an ongoing conversation between HCP and patient
what is the principle of double effect?
when there are two effects to every decision (one positive, one negative)…need to be able to tolerate the harm if the good is to be achieved
what is the principle of proportionality?
when there are more than two effects of a given decision –> there must be proportionate good to justify risking an evil effect
What are the four factors to judge proportionality?
- is there another way that will cause less harm?
- what is the level of good intended and evil risked
- What is the probability of good or evil
- causative factors
What is the patient’s obligation in healthcare?
individuals are obliged to use ordinary but not extraordinary means of preserving and restoring their health
what are “ordinary” measures?
that which, all things considered, produces more good than harm
what are “extraordinary” measures?
that which, all things considered, produces more harm than good
what is the healthcare provider’s obligation?
MEDICAL INDICATIONS PRINCIPLE: granted informed consent, the MD should do what is medically indicated such that more good than evil will result
If the wishes of a once competent person are known, what should the surrogate use?
SUBSTITUTE JUDGEMENT PRINCIPLE: surrogate decides in accord with the known wishes of the patient
If the wishes of a now incompetent patient are UNKNOWN, how should the surrogate proceed?
- BEST INTEREST PRINCIPLE: act in best interest of patient ONLY
- RATIONAL CHOICE PRINCIPLE: surrogate chooses what patient would have chosen if competent (considers all factors)
When is it appropriate for a doctor to refuse patients?
- if he lacks the skill needed
2. if he has too many patients
What is the definition of health?
lack of a deficit
what is the definition of a disease?
deficit in physical/psychological functioning
Who decides if you are sick?
the individual, although it occurs in the context of society