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Ethics applicable to the practice of medicine are called medical ethics. Medical ethics basically guide medical practitioners on their conduct instructions that can create conflict between their practice and moral values. We accept doctors and medical practitioners to behave responsibly and practice accountability but the question is what they should do when facing ethical dilemmas.
Let us understand this by the main four principles. Autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, and justice. These four principles help medical practitioner analysts decide the right or the most appropriate response. Let us understand them one by one.
Autonomy
Autonomy means self-rule which means the patient has the right to decide themselves. That’s before creating the patient doctors have to get informed consent from the patient and maintain medical confidentiality. The form information is particularly important here. It means the patient should fully understand the situation and behavior of their decision.
Beneficence
It refers to the actions that promote the welfare of others. In medical practice, it means taking actions that are beneficial to the patients and that are based on the patients’ point of view as well. Thus beneficence actions include encouraging a patient to quit smoking and start exercising.
Non-maleficence
It’s closely related to beneficence. It means do know you will or cause no harm to others. Most medical treatments carry some of the scopes of harm. Doctors must consider these principles of beneficence and non-maleficence together and produce the net benefits over harm. When are the most ethical dilemmas that arise in the balancing of beneficence and non-maleficence? A single action may have combined implications for beneficence and non-maleficence. It is referred to as the double effect.
Justice
It refers to equality. The medical practitioner must recognize the completely moral concerns and take fair decisions. Justice requires providing sufficient health care to meet the needs of all who need it.
