Medical ethics
Beneficence
Wellbeing of patient = 1st priority
Act in patient’s best interests for their best outcome
Non-maleficence
Avoid harm to patient (Hippocratic Oath “First do no harm”)
Danger in willingness to treat, drs may cause more harm than good
Eg. major interventions like surgery + chemotherapy
Balanced against beneficence
Autonomy
Patient has right to determine their own health care
Dr good communicator = patient sufficiently informed to make their decisions
= “Informed consent” vital precursor to treatment
Patient cannot demand treatment, but only refuse it (eg. rehabilitation)
Beneficence
Wellbeing of patient = 1st priority
Act in patient’s best interests for their best outcome
Non-maleficence
Avoid harm to patient (Hippocratic Oath “First do no harm”)
Danger in willingness to treat, drs may cause more harm than good
Eg. major interventions like surgery + chemotherapy
Balanced against beneficence
Autonomy
Patient has right to determine their own health care
Dr good communicator = patient sufficiently informed to make their decisions
= “Informed consent” vital precursor to treatment
Patient cannot demand treatment, but only refuse it (eg. rehabilitation)
