Medical Ethics

Medical ethics is a field of applied ethics, the study of moral values and judgments when applied to the field of medicine. This subject covers the practical application in clinical settings and the work in philosophy, history, sociology and theology.

Principles of medical ethics

• A physician has to be dedicate to provide competent medical care and have compassion and respect for human dignity and rights.
• A physician has to abide by the standards of professionalism and be honest regarding all professional interactions. Those physicians lacking in character or competence or an active in fraud or deception have to be reported to the appropriate entities.
• A physician has to adhere to the law and also acknowledge a responsibility to alter requirements so that they are in the best interests of the patient.
• A physician has to respect the rights of the patients, colleagues and health professionals. Patient confidences and privacy within the limits of the law has to be safeguarded.
• A physician has to study, apply and advance scientific knowledge and continue a commitment to medical education. The relevant information has to be made available to patients, colleagues and the public. The talents of other health professionals has to be used when indicated.
• A physician, except in emergencies, should provide appropriate patient care and be free to make a choice whom to serve, associate and the environment to provide medical care.
• A physician has to acknowledge the responsibility to take part in activities leading to the improvement of the community and the enhancement of public health.
• A physician has to care for the patient and assume the responsibility of the patient as ultimate.
• A physician should try for access to medical care for all people.

Bioethical principles

The four bioethical principles are:

• Autonomy : There has to be respect for the individual and the ability to make decisions regarding their health and future. Those actions which support autonomy are desirable and those that decrease it are undesirable.
• Beneficence : These actions are intended to help the patient or others.
• Non-maleficence : These actions are aimed not to cause harm to the patient or other people.
• Justice : Any action has to be fair to the wider community for consequence of an action.

Medical ethics committee

The committee discusses issues of principle in medical ethics, medical law and ethical matters regarding the relationship between the medical profession, the public and the state. It includes members like doctors, philosophers, theologians, lay people and lawyers. The ethical advice comprises of a range of issues like:

• research
• caring for children and young people
• confidentiality
• access to health records and the Data Protection Activities
• organ donation
• consent to and refusal for treatment
• medical reports
• treatment of incapacitated adults
• end of life issues for withholding and withdrawing treatment, cardiopulmonary resuscitation and DNAR orders
• caring for children and young people

Medical ethics subcommittee

The subcommittee is a group of nurses, doctors, lawyers, administrators, social workers, parents, chaplains and education specialists from the hospital group. This subcommittee has the following functions:

• reviewing of policies
• teaching the medical and hospital staff about ethics
• helping families and medical teams to understand and make choices to do the right thing

The subcommittee does not do the following:

• handling complaints
• answering questions about hospital policy
• coercing the attending doctor and family to follow them
• evaluating professional behavior

This subcommittee caters to the following problems:

• when to stop or start treatments
• the course of action to choose if helping is hurting the child
• what is really required for a child : the values, goals and expectations
• the action to be taken when a child can no longer be helped

Institute of Medical Ethics

This is a charitable organization that has the aim of improving education and debate. It is the co-owner of the Journal of Medical Ethics. This is a leading international journal related to the entire field of medical ethics. It organizes conferences and provides grants to students interested in medical ethics and develops a database of resources for medical ethics teaching.