Look over your notes for all chapters in Part 2 of the textbook/ Module 2 on Blackboard. These are chapters 4 – 9. They cover the 6 principles governing medical ethics.

1. Principles governing medical ethics:

a. Autonomy: Autonomy is the principle of respect for persons, which allows individuals to make their own decisions. An example of this principle is a patient who has the right to refuse medical treatment.

b. Beneficence: Beneficence is the principle of doing good, which requires health care providers to provide services that promote the well-being of their patients. An example of this principle is a doctor providing a life-saving procedure to a patient.

c. Non-maleficence: Non-maleficence is the principle of doing no harm, which requires health care providers to avoid actions that could harm their patients. An example of this principle is a doctor avoiding performing a procedure that could cause harm to a patient.

d. Justice: Justice is the principle of fairness, which requires health care providers to treat all patients fairly and equitably, regardless of their background or circumstances. An example of this principle is a hospital providing the same level of care to all patients, regardless of their insurance status or ability to pay.

e. Fidelity: Fidelity is the principle of trust, which requires health care providers to maintain the trust of their patients by keeping confidential information confidential. An example of this principle is a doctor keeping a patient’s medical information confidential and not sharing it with others without the patient’s consent.

f. Veracity: Veracity is the principle of truthfulness, which requires health care providers to provide truthful information to their patients. An example of this principle is a doctor providing accurate information about a patient’s diagnosis and prognosis.

2. Conflicts between principles:

A situation where two or more principles are in conflict is when a patient’s autonomy (the right to make their own medical decisions) conflicts with the principle of beneficretion (the right to make decisions for the benefit of the patient). For example, if a patient refuses a life-saving procedure, the doctor may have to choose between respecting the patient’s autonomy and acting in their best interests.

Another example is when the principle of non-maleficence (the obligation to avoid harm) conflicts with the principle of beneficretion (the right to make decisions for the benefit of the patient). For example, if a doctor has to choose between providing a treatment that may harm the patient or withholding the treatment and causing harm, they may face a conflict between these two principles.

In these situations, it can be challenging to determine which principle should take priority. Health care providers must weigh the benefits and risks of each option and make a decision based on what they believe is in the best interests of the patient.