Question

What is the formal principle of justice? What are the four material principles discussed in class? How might each of these four material principles of justice address questions of access to health care? What do you consider the best response, and why?

Answer 1

Formal principle of justice the principle of justice is deeply rooted in western thought. Traditionally it reflects our believes in the idea of "fairness". Aristotle observed that there are basically two spheres of justice. "Justice in retribution" and "justice in distribution".

Retribution embraces the familiar notion "eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth", otherwise known as the principle of proportionality. That is why when we punish those who have others we have moral obligation to see to it that the "punishment fits the crime".Justice in distribution carries with it idea that there are better and worse ways to distribute pleasures and pains amongst the community. It says that we ought to get "no more or no less than we deserve".

the principle of justice could be described as the moral obligation to act on the the basis of of fair adjudication between competing claims. As such it is linked to fairness entitlement, and equality. In healthcare ethics, this can be subdivided into three categories. Fair distribution of scarce resources(distributive justice), respect of people's right (right based justice), and respect for authority acceptable loss (legal justice). Alperovitch et.al describe two elements of principle of justice namely equality and equity.

Right to be treated equally, in some cases equal access to treatment, example,, place of residence,age, social status, ethnic background, culture, sexual preferences, disability, legal capacity, hospital budgets, insurance cover and prognosis.the Swiss academy of medical sciences recently reported that doctors and other medical staff are increasingly refusing to administer potentially useful treatment for economic reasons and there has been considerable debate in UK over the refusal explain treatment to patients who would benefit from it.

With regard to equality in the provision of care,some people are not treated with the same degree of respect as that accorded to others. Eg; with indifference, unfriendliness, lack of concern or rudeness.Such attitudes prejudice and discrimination may, in some cases be reflection of the stigmatization of people belonging to groups identified and valued on the basis of particular attribute.inequality and discrimination may also be based on the structural violence and racism sexism and poverty.

Gillon,emphasise that justice is more than their equality in that people can be treated unjustly even they are treated equally.with reference to Aristotle he argues that it is important to treat equals equally and and equals and nikali in proportion to the more relevant inequalities.situations will always arise when decisions have to be taken the unlimited resources different options and or other conflicting moral concerns.care must be taken to ensure that healthcare resources are used sensibly and fairly.people with dementia and potentially vulnerable in that they are likely at some stage to be able to state their preference and ensure that they are respected.advance directives at least provide with written evidence of their wishes which would go to some way to what ensuring that they are not placed in disadvantage of others when it comes to making crucial decisions about their health and wellbeing. Health care proxies could also play a useful role in ensuring that such decisions are taken into account and as far as possible respected.

principles of ethics

1. Autonomy

in medicine autonomy refers the right of patient to retain control over his or her body.healthcare professional can suggest for advice, but any actions that attempt to persuade for the patient in to making a choice of are violations of this principle. In the end, the patient must be allowed to make his or her own decisions-whether or not the medical provider believes these choice are in patient's best interest -independently and according to his or her personal values and beliefs.

2.Benificiance

this principle states that healthcare providers must do all they can do benefit the patient in each situation.all procedures and treatment recommended must be within the intention to do the most good for the patient. To ensure beneficiance ,medical practitioners must develop and maintain a high level of skill and knowledge,make sure that they are trained in most current and best method practices,and must consider their patients individual circumstances what is good for one patient will not necessary benefit another.

3. Non-maleficence

Not efficient is probably the best known of four principles. Inshort it means t"do no harm". This principle is intended to be the end goal for all of practitioners decisions,and means that medical providers must consider whether other people or society could be harmed by decision made, event it is made for the benefit of an individual patient.

4. Justice

the principle of justice state that there should be an element of fairness in all medical decisions:fairness in decisions that burden and benefit as well as equal distribution of scares resources and new treatments and for medical practitioners to uphold applicable laws and legislation when making choice.