Introduction to

Medical ethics
 Ethic
s
• The word ethics is derived from the Greek
word ethos, which means "character,“.
• “ Ethics offers conceptual to evaluate and
guide moral decision making.”
• “Ethics is concerned with moral principles,
values & standards of conduct” (WHO) .
• Ethics is the study of morality – careful
and systematic reflection and analysis
of moral decisions and behaviour.
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.
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.
Medical Ethics :
The moral principles which should guide the
members of the medical profession in
course of their practice of medicine and their
dealing with their patients.
Importance of Medical Ethics
• Ethical principles such as respect for persons,
informed consent and confidentiality are basic to
the physician-patient relationship.
• The study of ethics prepares medical professionals
to recognize difficult situations and to deal with
them in a rational and principled manner.
• Ethics is also important in physicians’ interactions
with society and their colleagues and for the
conduct of medical research.
• To understand and follow healthcare laws.
Importance of Medical Ethics…contd..

• To enhance quality care

• To address health needs of the community
• To improve the organization’s culture and
practices
• To avoid conflicts in case of ethical dilemmas
such as brain death, organ transplantation
etc.
 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.
 These goals depend on
• Nature of disease
• Option available
• Preference of the patient
• Social, cultural and economic factors
 Goals of medical
ethics
• Improve the quality of patient care by
identifying , analyzing and attempting to resolve
the ethical problems arise in practice.

• Do the best for the patient and place the

patient’s interest before the interests of the
physician.

• To render service to humanity with full respect

by the physicians.
 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.
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
 Doctor –Patient Relationship
• Medical ethics has 3 centres: doctor,
patient and society.
• Its centre is the doctor –patient
relationship.
Doctor – Patient relationship

• It is defined as a consensual relationship in which the patient

knowingly seeks the physician’s assistance and in which the
physician knowingly accepts the person as a patient.
• This unique relationship encompasses four key elements
Mutual knowledge
Trust
Loyalty
Regard
• DPR is the core element in the ethical principles of medicine.
• DPR usually develops when the physician tends to a
patient needs via check up, diagnosis and treatment in an
agreeable manner.
• Due to the relationship doctor owes a responsibility to the
patient to proceed towards the ailment or conclude the
relationship successfully.
• By entering into the relationship, the physician agrees to
the following:
Respect the patients autonomy
Maintain confidentiality
Explain treatment options
Obtain informed consent
Provide the highest standard of care
Commit not to abandon the patient without giving him or

her adequate time to find a new doctor

Essential features of maintaining DPR

• COMMUNICATION: Good communication skills are essential to

establish DPR.
• DOCTOR EMPATHY: Empathy is vital to ensure the quality of DPR. This
enables the physician to understand the symptomatic experiences
and needs of individual patients.
• TRUST: Trust in doctors allows patients to effectively discuss their
health issues as well as to comply with the doctors guidance.
• INFORMED CONSENT: This is based on the moral and legal
requirements of the patients autonomy.
• PROFESSIONAL BOUNDARIES: Doctors should avoid getting into any
personal relationship with the patients. The patients inturn should
avoid frequent phone calls and unscheduled visits to their doctors.
Termination of DPR

• The relationship may come to end when

i) The physician concludes that the patient needs the care
of different specialists.
ii) Successive missing of appointments by the patient
iii) The physician refuses treatment due to valid legal causes
iv) Neglecting a patient from prompt professional care
without making arrangements for the continuum of care.
 Moral Duties of
Doctor
• The duty to help and cure
• The duty to promote and protect the
patient’s health.
• The duty to inform
• The duty to confidentiality
• 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.
 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
Thank You