Discover published sets by community

The principle that requires healthcare providers to not harm the patient. This means avoiding treatments or interventions where the potential harm outweighs the potential for benefit.

A person appointed by a patient to make healthcare decisions on their behalf if they are unable to do so due to illness or incapacity.

The right of patients to make decisions about their medical care without their healthcare provider trying to influence the decision. Patient autonomy does allow for patients to make decisions that doctors or family members do not agree with, such as refusing life-saving treatment.

A theory in normative ethics holding that the best action is the one that maximizes utility, defined as maximizing happiness and reducing suffering.

A framework in bioethics that uses four key principles (autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, and justice) to analyze and resolve ethical dilemmas in healthcare.

The obligation to tell the truth and not deceive patients. Healthcare providers should always communicate honestly with patients regarding their diagnosis, treatment, prognosis, and other relevant information.

A concept that suggests that what is considered ethical may vary from one culture or societal group to another and that there are no absolute universal ethical standards.

A process by which a patient is made aware of potential risks, benefits, and alternatives of a medical procedure or intervention, before agreeing to the course of treatment.

A situation in which a difficult choice must be made between two courses of action, either of which entails transgressing a moral principle or ethical value.

The spaces between the healthcare provider's power and the patient's vulnerability and are necessary to maintain a therapeutic and professional relationship with proper limits.

A collaborative process that allows patients and their healthcare providers to make healthcare decisions together, taking into account best scientific evidence available, as well as the patient's values and preferences.

The principle that focuses on loyalty and faithfulness to the patient. It involves an obligation to keep promises and follow through with care.

Legal documents that allow patients to convey their decisions about end-of-life care before they are unable to communicate their preferences due to illness or incapacity.

A healthcare provider's duty to act in the best interest of the patient. It involves taking positive steps to improve the patient's health, such as preventative measures and treatments.

The ethical principle that deals with fairness in medical decisions. It means providing healthcare based on clinical need, with equal distribution of resources, and without discrimination.

The obligation of healthcare providers to keep a patient's personal health information private unless the patient gives consent to release the information.

Occurs when decisions are made for patients without their consent, under the guise of knowledge and authority. While intended to benefit the patient, it can undermine autonomy and informed consent.

An ethical approach that gives a high priority to the rights of individuals when resolving ethical dilemmas and in the formulation of healthcare policy.

The ability of healthcare providers to effectively deliver healthcare services that meet the social, cultural, and linguistic needs of patients.

Occurs when one knows the right thing to do, but institutional constraints make it difficult to follow the correct course of action.

Concerned with the fair and equitable allocation of goods in society. In healthcare, it guides the equitable distribution of resources such as donor organs, hospital beds, and medications.

The capacity to understand what another person is experiencing from within the other person's frame of reference; it is the capacity to place oneself in another's shoes.

A category of ethical theories that suggest that the consequences of one’s conduct are the ultimate basis for any judgment about the rightness or wrongness of that conduct.

The ethical and practical considerations involved in distributing limited medical resources fairly to a population or group of patients.

An ethical principle stating that an action having two effects—a good and an unintended bad effect—can be considered morally permissible if the action itself is good and the bad effect is not the intended outcome.

The ethical principle that suggests the benefits of a medical intervention must be proportional to and justify the risks involved. This applies when deciding on courses of treatment or medical procedures.

An ethical theory that uses rules to distinguish right from wrong. This approach focuses on adherence to moral duties and obligations as guided by a set of ethical rules or principles.

An ethical guideline that ensures that human beings with the autonomy of will and preferences deserve the right to make choices for themselves and should be treated with dignity and respect.