BY: RAKEB WONDAFRASH

OUTLINE
Introduction
Importance of medical ethics
Principles of medical ethics
Ethical Problems facing the Doctors
Duties and responsibilities of physician
References
INTRODUCTION
Definition of Ethics.
Ethics is derived from the Greeek word, ‘Ethos”which means custom, culture
or a manner of acting or character or constant mode of behavior.

It is the study of what is good or bad, what is right or wrong, what is

acceptable and not acceptable, and what is immoral or morally sound in
human activities and deeds.

medical ethics focuses primarily on issues arising out of the practice of

medicine
ETHICS IS NOT
the same as feelings
 religion
following the law
following culturally accepted norms
 science
ETHICS IS …
Moral Principles
What is good and bad
What is right and wrong
Based on value system
Ethical norms are not universal – depends on the sub
culture of the society
THE IMPORTANCE OF
MEDICAL ETHICS
1. Code of medical ethics prevents malpractice and
thereby protects the public.
2. It makes the health professionals aim at helping the sick
3. It promotes a positive moral act to give “care” to the
needy,”.
BASIC PRINCIPLES OF
MEDICAL ETHICS
 AUTONOMY
The patient has the right to refuse or choose their
treatment
Each person is a master of his/her own body. He/she has
every right to object to the performance of any
procedure he/she does not approve.
There is a need for consent. The consent must be based on
adequate information. Such consent has to be
documented.
BENEFICENCE
It states that a practitioner should act in the best interest of
the patient
this means taking actions that serve the best interests of
patients.
healing should be the sole purpose of medicine, and that
endeavors like cosmetic surgery fall beyond its scope.
NON-MALEFICENCE
The concept of non-maleficence is embodied by the phrase, "first, do
no harm’’
enthusiastic practitioners are prone to using treatments that they
believe will do good, without first having evaluated them adequately to
ensure they do no harm.
He or she should not prescribe medications (or otherwise treat the
patient) unless s/he knows that the treatment is most unlikely to be
harmful;
at the very least, that patient understands the risks and benefits, and
that the benefits outweigh the likely risks.
however, many treatments carry some risk of harm. In
some circumstances, e.g. in desperate situations where the
outcome without treatment will be grave, risky treatments
that stand a high chance of harming the patient will be
justified, as the risk of not treating is also very likely to do
harm.
So the principle of non-maleficence is not absolute
JUSTICE
Justice concerns the distribution of scarce health resources
and the decision of who gets what treatment .
ETHICAL PROBLEMS FACING
THE DOCTORS
Confidentiality : is part of the larger issue of a patient’s privacy which every
patient is entitled to Individuals value and their privacy

Malpractice: means there is a failure in carrying out the professional duties with
competence and integrity in the best interest of the patient. It causes injury to the
patient.

Negligence
this is the omission to do something. The performance of the doctor falls below
the standard of a reasonable competent practitioner at that level.
IRRATIONAL DRUG
THERAPY
Unnecessary prescribing
Extravagant prescribing
Overprescribing
Underprescribing
Incorrect prescribing
Multiple prescribing
CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

Treatment of family members

Sexual relationships between doctors and patients
Vendor relationships
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF
PHYSICIAN

Character of a Physician
 Uphold dignity and honor of his profession.
 Render service to humanity.
 practice modern system of medicine.
 Maintaining good medical practice.
Render service to humanity with full respect for the dignity of profession and man.
Exposure of Unethical Conduct
Personal financial interests of a physician should not conflict with the medical
interests of patients
observe the laws of the country in regulating the practice of medicine
Duties of Physician to their patients
Obligations to the sick
Patience, delicacy & secrecy
Prognosis
Do not neglect the patient
RESPONSIBILITIES TO EACH
OTHER
Dependence of Physicians on each other
 Should consider it as a pleasure and privilege to render gratuitous service to all
physicians and their immediate family dependents.
Conduct in consultation
 Respect should be observed towards the physician in- charge of the case and no
statement or remark be made
REFERENCE
Module for teaching medical ethics to undergraduates(2009)
Health ethics and law for health extension workers(2004)
Introduction to medical ethics, medical ethics in the “global village”(2007)