Week 4: Medical Ethics Flashcards
Examples of unethical medical practices
a) Tuskegee syphilis experiment
b) Josef Mengele (Nazi research with twins)
c) Coerced sterilization of women of color (NC)
What is the ideal ethics for a physician according to Galen?
Philanthropy
Examples of vulnerable populations that are targeted for experimentation
a) Orphaned children
b) Homeless - Social discrimination
c) Prison populations (Guantanamo Bay)
d) People of color
When did an ethical code become necessary?
When not practiced in temples or within priestly class
What sources define medical ethics?
a) On the Physician
b) On the Philosopher - Doctor (Galen)
Aspects covered in medical practice (8)
a) Optimal practices
b) Doctor-Patient relation
c) Doctor- Patient communication
d) Money issues
e) Confidentiality
f) Appearance
g) Premises and instruments
h) Education
When was the oath composed?
Probably late 5th BC (Hidden linguistic references according to Lichtenthaeler)
No mention before 1st Century AD or probably 2nd Century BC
What do scholars speculate that it may have been?
Esoteric document of a close guild of physicians
What did Ludwig Edelstein suggest?
The oath was Pythagorean since suicide was not morally acceptable
Importance of the Hippocratic Oath
Elegantly brief and has influenced medical ethics
Influence of the Hippocratic oath
12th C. Byzantine copy of a physician’s oath
Made up of velum
No mention of Greek gods
Which gods are mentioned in the Oath?
Apollo
Asclepeius
Hygieia (Health/Hygiene)
Panacea (All health)
Whom should a physician teach without fee or contract?
Sworn-in indentured pupil
Sons of his master
Sons of his own
Primary method used to treat patients
Dietary regimens
Goal at treating patients
Do no harm or injustice to them
Ethical implications in the Oath
No suicide (Ask for a lethal drug)
No abortion (No pessary)
Interpretation: “I will not use the knife, even upon those suffering from stones, but I will leave this to those who are trained in this craft”
Surgery was allowed for those who knew
a) Learned from other skilled surgeons
b) Black smiths removed dental issues
Is a physician allowed to do any voluntary act of impropriety or corruption with female/male free/slaves?
No. Looking after his reputation
Doctor-Patient Relation in the Oath
Whatever he sees or hears in the lives of his patients, he will keep secret to:
a) Prevent others from discriminating based on medical information
b) Encourage the patient to be honest
c) Make moral judgements based on medical information
How many versions of oaths for medical practitioners have survived from the ancient world?
One
The practice of swearing an oath, in ancient times and today:
it is common to many public offices, to guarantee duties and responsibilities
What is the purpose of a code of ethics?
a) Guarantee standard of conduct
b) Guarantee standard of competence
c) Foster trust in the physician
Note: Not guaranteeing healing
