Ethics Flashcards
(13 cards)
Autonomy
Allowing patient choice, where they are able
Non-maleficence
Do no net harm
Beneficence
Acting in best interest of patient
Justice
Ensuring fairness and people don’t receive different standards of care
Consequentialism
Whether something is ethically right is dependent on the outcome
Deontology
Duty-based ethics on a strict right v wrong difference. Outcome doesn’t matter if something is inherently unethical
Yaser Jabbar (case study 1)
-Orthopaedic pediatric surgeon at GOSH who was investigated in 2022 after concerns raised by staff and patient families led to an investigation into harmful surgeries that led to complications. 26 were found to be harmful
-GMC imposed restrictions on his practice requiring him to work under supervision
-Shows breaches of patient safety, lack of informed consent and damage done to trust in NHS due to oversights
-GOSH issued apology and outreach to affected families, implementing stricter protocols
Assisted dying DO IN DETAIL !!
-Active v passive
-Bill is for active or assisted dying = patient performs actual act
-MPs voted in favour or Assisted Dying Bill for terminology ill adults with prognosis of six months or less
-Concerns raised about potential for coercion
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What is passive euthanasia
Passive euthanasia is withdrawal of life prolonging treatment such as ventilator with legal consent of patient or in cases where patient is brain stem dead
Assisted dying safeguards
-It would be a criminal offence, punishable by up to 14 years in prison, to pressure or coerce someone into choosing assisted dying.
-Healthcare professionals who object to participating in the process would not be compelled to do so, reflecting a neutral stance from organisations like the British Medical Association and the Royal College of Nursing.
Organ donation Laws
-England was shifted into an opt-out system by the Max and Keira’s Law
-Presumes consent for organ donation unless individuals explicitly opt out to increase number of organs available for transportation
-Includes everyone except children under 18, individuals lacking capacity and non-residents living in England for under 12 months
-Public awareness campaigns are crucial to inform people how to opt out
-Patient family still hold ultimate decision-making rights
Why was Max and Keira’s Law created and what were the consequences
-390 people died annually on waiting lists
-40% of eligible donors who had not declared their status, their family refused consent
What is the relevance of religious and cultural sensitivity in regards to Max and Keira’s law
-Some faiths recognise death differently may cause conflict if patient is brain stem dead and deemed fit for donation or have practices for what happens to body after death
