MEDICAL ETHICS AND JURISPRUDENCE

Ethics
● Moral principles that govern a person's behaviors
● Ethics is universal in the sense of referring to what is right and wrong.
● However, ethics may sometimes be specific to the conduct of a particular activity. An
example of this is the code of medical ethics.

Jurisprudence
● The theory or philosophy of law
● A legal system
● Medical jurisprudence, specifically, is the legal aspect of medical practice
● Concerned with the aspect of law and legal concepts which has to do with the practice
of medicine

Although this course is specific to medicine, parallel concepts may be established with other
disciplines in the allied medical professions (dentistry, nursing, pharmacy, physical therapy,
occupational therapy)

MEDICAL JURISPRUDENCE

Purpose of the Study of Medical Jurisprudence

1. To protect the public from charlatans and quacks.

2. To promote professionalism and foster professional interrelationships among those
concerned with the welfare of the patient.
3. To develop an awareness of the rights, duties, and obligations of both health providers
and patients.
4. As a countermeasure to control the increasing number of malpractice suits against
health providers.
5. To explain the purpose and procedure of specific legislation where medical science is
involved.
6. To study the need, repeal, or amendment of health care laws in harmony with recent
scientific and social development.
Sources of Laws
● The constitution
● Laws enacted by the legislative body
● Administrative acts, orders, rules, and regulations
● Local customs
● Generally accepted principles of international law

Goals of the practice of medicine

● To serve humanity
● To preserve life and maintain the health of the people regardless of race, creed, or
political affiliation
● To promote the quality of life

Control of The Quality of Medical Services

● Licensure Laws

● Code of Ethics

● Criminal Law

● Civil Law

● Public Opinion

● Hospital Rules and Regulation

● Medical Societies