Principles of Medical Ethics

Introduction

Medical knowledge and technology have advanced at a spectacular rate in this era. This journey of discovery has led to number of ethical issues which are unimaginable to original followers of the Hippocratic Oath. Steeped in history of philosophy and of the religion, the development of medical ethics has been an attempt to unravel and resolve moral complexities and dilemmas that have faced doctors through ages. Several principles of medical ethics have survived to the present - for example, primum non nocere (first do no harm). Other concepts, like the notion of community responsibility and justice, have emerged in the complex modern medical era. What the twenty-first century physician required is a comprehensive framework to help identify and critically reflect on ethical issues.

Principles of Medical Ethics

There are four widely accepted general principles of medical ethics which go towards such a framework, namely autonomy, justice, beneficence and non-malfeasance. This four-principle "of the fundamental moral principles to biomedical ethics was initiated by ethicists and Beauchamp Childress.1 This approach has met with some criticism for being too simplistic, but very attractive bonus is that these principles fl exibility offered facie, represent a neutral reference framework applicable to patients of different cultures and religions, and are independent of political doctrines (Beauchamp, 33).

Autonomy

Autonomy is to respect the wishes of patients and facilitate and encourage their input in the process of making medical decisions. The issue of informed consent and the refusal is in the heart of this principle. To respect patient autonomy is to give that person a better balance of power in the doctor-patient relationship. This implies not only explain what is wrong with that person, but also the options and implications of any proposed research and treatment and the risks and benefits. The physician must give the patient all the information ...