Question

Week 1: Discussion 1: Basic Principles of Law and Ethics

Step 1: List and define the basic principles of health care ethics.  

Step 2: Make sure you provide detailed descriptions and examples of each one.  

Step 3: Discuss what these principles and ethics mean to you?

Answer 1

There are four main basic principles of healthcare ethics

Principle of Autonomy

This principle enables or provides rights to an individual to take self decision regarding treatment. This gives the rights to accept or refuse a treatment if an individual is mentally sound or who is competent if an adult. In case of minor or children the parents or the guardian are responsible to take decision legally .

eg.,An adult admitted with severe abdominal pain is diagnosed with gallbladder stones and inflammation is advised for a cholecystectomy.

The patient on the principle of autonomy can either accept or refuse the treatment at their own risk

Principle of beneficence

This principle enables the patient to receive the best possible care from an healthcare professionals .Here the healthcare professionals outweighs the benefit to a patient and suggests a treatment .

eg., A patient who is suffering a serious infection (sepsis) and with chronic kidney disease .Whose body has risk or side effects in case of medication administration ,but if the medication is not administered it cost the life of the patient

In these situation out of best interest or beneficence the provider may initiate a treatment to save the life of patient

Principle of non maleficience

This principle ensures that the patient is treated and no intentional or unintensional harm is caused to patient

eg., A patient who tries to self harm on the principle of non maleficience the provider can go chemical restraining or physical restraining .So that the patient neither harms self or others

Principles of Justice

This principle enforces being fair to all in providing care to a patient

Eg., A large number of victim has been admitted in a limited time. The healthcare sector allocating resources on equity basis is termed to be principle of justice .