2. Ethics
• “ Ethics offers conceptual to evaluate and
guide moral decision making.”
• The word ethics is derived from the
Greek word ethos, which means
"character,“.
3. PROFESSIONAL ETHICS
Professional Ethics are the civil code of behaviors considered
correct by member of the profession for the good of both the
stakeholders and the profession.
4. MEDICAL ETHICS
Medical ethics refers to the system of values common to
medical profession and application of these values to practice
of medicine.
It is the standard of behavior by which physician evaluate
their relationship with their patients , colleagues and society.
5. • “Medical Ethics is discipline/ methodology
for considering the implications of medical
technology/ treatment and what ought to be.”
or
The principle which should guide the members
of the medical profession in course of their
practice of medicine and their dealing with
their patients.
6. Goals of medical Intervention
• Restoration of complete health
• Relief of symptoms
• Restoration of function
• Maintenance of compromised function ,
without further deterioration.
• Saving life or prolong life.
• Patient education and health education.
7. These goals depend on
• Nature of disease
• Option available
• Preference of the patient
• Social, culture, and economic factors
8. Goals of medical ethics
• Improve the quality of patient care by
identifying , analyzing and attempting to resolve
the ethical problems arise in practice.
Medical Ethics is derived /expressed through:
1. Law
2. Institutional policies/practices.
3. Policy of professional organization.
4. Professional standards of care, fiduciary
obligations.
9. Law & medicine
• Medical matters comes into interaction with law in 4
aspects
1. Legislation and administrative regulation affecting
medical practice.
2. Court Judgments on problematic or controversial
ethical issue in medicine.
3. Medical matters or personnel may become subjects of
law suit when issue of medical malpractice or medical
negligence arises.
4. Use of medical matter as evidence in court for other
criminal or civil proceedings such as homicide , rape ,
wounding, work's man compensation , insurance claims
etc.
10. Scope of Medical Ethics
• A development of ethical codes and
guidelines
• A promotion of ethical practices
• A prevention of ethical breaches
• A recognition of ethical dilemmas
• A resolution of ethical conflicts.
11. Components of Medical ethics
• A physician –Patient relationship
• A Physician – Physician relationship
• The relationship of the physician to the
system of healthcare.
• The relationship of the physician to society
12. Doctor –Patient Relationship
• Medical ethics has 3 centers :doctor, patient
and society.
• Its centre is the doctor –patient relationship.
13. Moral Duties of Doctor
• The duty to help cure
• The duty to promote and protect the patient’s
health.
• The duty to inform
• The duty to confidentiality
• The duty to protects patients life
• The duty to protect the patient’s life
• The duty to respect the patient’s autonomy
• The duty to protect privacy
• the duty to respect the patients dignity.
14. Moral rights of the patient
• The right to high quality medical services
• The right to autonomous choice
• The right to decide
• The right to be informed
• The right to privacy
• The right to health education
• The right to dignity
15. Basic Principles of Medical ethics
• Non maleficence
• Beneficence
• Autonomy
• Social Responsibility and Justice
• Confidentiality
• Veracity
16. Beneficence
• Obligations to preserve life, restore health,
relieve suffering and maintain function
• To do “good”.
• Non abandonment – obligations to provide
ongoing care
• Conflict of interest – must not engage in activities
that are not in patients best interest
• Do only that which benefits the patient
• Patient’s welfare as the first consideration.
• Care consideration competence
17. 3 constraints on Beneficence
• Need to respect autonomy –patient and
doctor may differ re Management.
• Need to ensure health is not bought at too
high a price
• Need to consider rights of others.
18. Non-maleficence
• Do no harm , prevent harm and remove
harm.
• Sancity of life
• Calculated risk or risk benefit
19. Autonomy
• Right to self determination
• Requires decision making capacity
- Lack should be proven not assumed.
• Competence – Legal determination
• Liberty – Freedom to influence course of life
/treatment
• Right to information and self determination
• Free and informed consent
• Free will and Accord – Intentional participation in
treatment
• Respect and dignity maintained.
20. Justice and Social Responsibilty
• Actions are consistent , accountable and
transparent
• Not to discriminate on age , sex, religion, race
, position and rank.
• greater good of society
• Respect of the law
• Equity and distribution of burden & benefits.
21. Confidentiality
• Obligations of Physician to maintain information in strict
confidence.
• Based on loyalty and trust
• Maintain the confidentiality of all personal, medical and
treatment information.
• Exceptions if failure to release data to data to appropriate
agencies may result in greater societal harm.
• Information to be revealed with consent and for the
benefits of the patient.
• Except when ethically and legally required.
• Disclosure should not be beyond what is required.
23. Codes of Conduct
• A set of conventional principles and
expectations that are considered binding on
any person who is a member of a particular
group.
24. Historical perspective
• ATREYA ANUSHASANA
First recorded Code of conducts
Mainly concentrate on the various duties of
the physician.4
25. CHARAKA SAMHITA
• Recorded in 600 BC
• Code of conduct for the would be physician.
SUSRUTA SAMHITA
Guidelines for surgeonand surgical procedures
27. International Code of medical
ethics
• Adopted by 3rd General Assembly of the
World Medical association , London, England ,
october 1949
• Amended by 2nd World medical Assembly
sydney,Australia,August 1968
• 35th World medical Assembly Venice,Italy
October 1983.
http://www.botswanamedical.org.bw/history.ht
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