Question

2. Name and briefly define the seven main health care principles we are studying. How is this set of principles used to guide ethical action in health care?

Answer 1

Ethical actions are the backbone of the healthcare profession. These ethical actions largely depend on seven principles. They are non-maleficence, respect for autonomy, beneficence, justice, health maximization, efficiency and proportionality. We will discuss how these set of principles are used for ethical action.

1.Non-maleficence

It is one of the major principles and basic factor behind this principle is to "do no harm". All healthcare professionals should act according to this principle.

2.Beneficence

It states that the physician is responsible to heal and help his or her patients according to their abilities and judgements.

3.Respect for autonomy

Patients have the right to determine their own healthcare and no one can force them to do anything. Respect for autonomy mainly focuses on the concent of the patient before the treatment.

4.Health Maximization

It is basically the healthcare resource utilization method. The patient is provided with the best care according to the resources available.

5.Justice

This principle is applicable to the choice of treatments. There should be an equal distribution of scarce resources and new treatments when considering the choices of medication.

6.Efficiency

Most efficient and cost-effective treatment methods should be used for the treatments of patients. For instance, some physicians are choosing expensive treatments and unwanted surgeries to patients to boost the financial status of their organization,

7.Proportionality

The principle of proportionality states that the moral righteousness of action is a function of the preponderance of human value over disvalue that results through the action.