Question

Identify and discuss six major ethical principles that help guide decision making and clinical judgement.

Answer 1

1) State the problem plainly, in clinical medicine, the problem stated in straight forwrd terms helps focuss attention on the problem with as little prejudgement is possible.

2) Gather and organize data:

a) Medical facts - define medical facts, such as pateint conditions, diagnosis, prognosis, mental and emotional status, etc., and decision taking capacity.

b) Medical goals - Articulating the goals of care facilitatees discusssion. Common goals include preventing diseases, curing diseases, restoring function, relieving pain, prolonging life and comforting suffering.

3) Ask whether the problem is ethical- the task is to dtermines whether the problem is primarily ethical, i.e. whether it involves moral questions related to values , principles, obligations rights etc.

4) Ask whether more information or dialogue needed- The physician may need to collect more information about pateint's goals, search medical history, engage administrators and insurers or take steps to repair misunderstandings.

5) Determine the best course of action and support the position with references to one or more sources of ethical value.It includes resspect for pateint autonomy, justice, rights, ethical reasoning on consequences, etc.

6) Confirm the adequacy and coherence of the conclusion- clinical ethical reasoning may not be able to achiveve the degree of confirmation but a conclusion should be adequate and coherent as possible.