What is medical ethics?

Medical ethics is a branch of applied ethics that focuses on moral principles within the healthcare profession. It provides a framework for healthcare professionals to navigate complex situations and make sound decisions.

What are the main features of medical ethics?

• Four Pillars: The foundation rests on four core principles:
  • Autonomy: Respecting a patient's right to make their own choices about their care.
  • Beneficence: Acting in the patient's best interest and promoting their well-being.
  • Non-maleficence: Avoiding causing harm to the patient.
  • Justice: Ensuring fair access to healthcare resources and treatment.
• Constant Evolution: Medical ethics adapt to advancements in technology, emerging diseases, and societal changes.

What are important sub-areas in medical ethics?

• Patient confidentiality: Protecting patient privacy and information.
• Informed consent: Ensuring patients understand treatment options and risks before making decisions.
• End-of-life care: Ethical considerations surrounding issues like euthanasia and assisted suicide.
• Allocation of resources: Addressing fair distribution of scarce medical resources.
• Genetic engineering: Ethical implications of gene editing and manipulation.

What are key concepts in medical ethics?

• Ethical dilemmas: Situations where two or more ethical principles conflict.
• Ethical decision-making models: Frameworks that help healthcare professionals analyze ethical dilemmas.
• Professional codes of ethics: Guidelines established by medical associations to guide professional conduct.

Who are influential figures in medical ethics?

• Hippocrates: The "Father of Medicine" laid the foundation for ethical medical practice with the Hippocratic Oath.
• Florence Nightingale: A pioneer in nursing ethics who emphasized patient well-being and compassionate care.
• Jonas Salk: The developer of the polio vaccine, who grappled with the ethical implications of scientific research.

Why is medical ethics important?

• Protects patients from harm and exploitation.
• Ensures patients have a voice in their care.
• Promotes trust in the medical profession.
• Provides a framework for addressing complex healthcare issues.

How is medical ethics applied in practice?

• Daily decision-making: From disclosing diagnoses to choosing treatment plans, medical ethics guide daily interactions between healthcare providers and patients.
• Research: Ethical guidelines ensure research is conducted safely and with respect for participants.
• Resource allocation: Helps in fair distribution of medical resources like transplants or intensive care beds.
• Policy development: Influences healthcare policies and legislation.