3) Basic & Specific principles in Medical Ethics

• Ethics is the study of morality, which is the value dimension of human decision-making and behaviour.
• The Greek word ethike means habit, action, character.
• The Latin word mos (morals) means habit or custom.
• Ethics is a set of philosophical beliefs and practices concerned with the distinction between right and wrong.
• Ethics is a very large and complex field of study with many branches or subdivisions.
• Medical Ethics is the branch of ethics that deals with moral issues in medical practice.
• Medical ethics is closely related, but not identical to bioethics (biomedical ethics).
• The conventional laws, customs of courtesy and the code of conduct governing the relationship of the physician with his professional colleagues are part of medical ethics.
• In recent times medical ethics has been greatly influenced by developments in human rights.
• Physicians frequently have to deal with medical problems resulting from violations of human rights, such as forced migration and torture.
• A history of ethics principles can be traced back to 460 - 377 B.C.
• Percival is also associated with the publication of "Medical Ethics: A Code of Ethics and Institutes Adopted to the Professions of Physic and Surgery" in 1808.
• The AMA revised its "Principles of Medical Ethics" in 1903.
• The AMA revised its "Principles of Medical Ethics" again in 1957.
• Percival is associated with the establishment of the Manchester Infirmary Committee in 1803.
• The AMA revised its "Principles of Medical Ethics" again in 1912.
• The AMA revised its "Principles of Medical Ethics" again in 2001.
• The Boston Medical Society is associated with the establishment of self-regulation in the medical profession in 1847.
• Hippocrates of Cos is associated with the concept of medical ethics in 1792.
• The AMA revised its "Principles of Medical Ethics" again in 1980.
• Seeking out and asking for support can involve formal supports and informal supports.
• The AMA first published a "Code of Ethics" in 1847.
• Principles of essentiality, voluntariness, informed consent and community agreement, non-exploitation, privacy and confidentiality, precaution and risk minimisation, and professional competence are general principles in medical ethics.
• Chronic illnesses are disorders that persist for an extended period and affect a person’s ability to function normally.
• Coping with illness is one’s feelings and beliefs regarding illness and treatment that determine one’s ability to cope with the challenges they meet.
• Quality of life is an individual’s perceptions of their position in life in the context of the culture and value systems in which they live and in relation to their goals, expectations, standards and concerns.
• Clinical trials of drugs, devices, vaccines, diagnostic agents, herbal drugs, epidemiological studies, human genetics and genomic research, transplantation research including fetal tissue and xeno-transplantation, and assisted reproductive technologies are specific areas of medical research.
• Accountability and transparency, maximisation of the public interest and of distributive justice, institutional arrangements, public domain, totality of responsibility, and compliance are specific principles in medical ethics.
• Autonomy in health care can be difficult due to the paternalistic attitude of many health care professionals.
• Health care provider should consider individual circumstances of all patients.
• Information to be revealed for the benefit of the patient and when ethically and legally required.
• Physicians are obligated not to prescribe medications they know to be harmful.
• Health care provider should develop and maintain skills and knowledge by continually updating training.
• When interventions undertaken by physicians create a positive outcome while also potentially doing harm it is known as the "double effect".
• “Above all, do no harm,” is the principle of non-maleficence.
• Violation of non-maleficence is the subject of medical malpractice litigation.
• Justice in health care distribution is the fair and equal distribution of scarce health resources, and the decision of who gets what treatment.
• The practitioner should act in “the best interest” of the patient - the procedure be provided with the intent of doing good to the patient.
• The four main areas that Health care provider must consider when evaluating justice are: fair distribution of scarce resources, competing needs, rights and obligations.
• Patient’s welfare is the first consideration.