Practical Ethics

Question 1

What is medical ethics

Answer 1

Deals with ethical issues in healthcare settings

Helps healthcare professionals make reasoned decision about why they should act in a particular way

Question 2

What are the 3 levels of formal medical ethics

Answer 2

Laws
Guidelines and recommendations
Your ability to reason critically and morally

Question 3

What are the 5 main ethical theories

Answer 3

Deontology 
Consequentialism/ Utilitarianism
Communitarianism/ Community ethics 
Virtue ethics 
Religious theries

Question 4

What is deontolgy

Answer 4

A patients right to refuse any treatment

Question 5

What is consequentialism / utilitarianism

Answer 5

Whether an action is right or wrong depends upon consequences
Act always to maximise the greatest happiness of the greatest number of people

Question 6

What is comminitarianism/ comminity ethics

Answer 6

Is the act good for everyone that will be affected by the act
Holds that current ethics is far too individualistic
e.g. notifiable diseases and vaccination programmes

Question 7

What does Beauchamp and Childress relate to

Answer 7

Principles of Biomedical ethics

Question 8

What is respect for autonomy

Answer 8

respect for person’s free will and capacity for independent decision-making

Question 9

What is beneficence

Answer 9

Balance of benefits of treatment against risks and costs - acting for the good of others

Question 10

What is non-maleficence

Answer 10

Avoid causing harm

Question 11

What is justice

Answer 11

Fair distribution of benefits, risks and costs, fair resource allocation, social justice