Ethics Flashcards
Describe ‘ethics’
the body of moral principles or values governing or distinctive of a particular culture or group
Where do ethics come from?
Two traditions
- Duties; right and wrong, actions by individuals or groups ‘absolute values’
- Considering the benefits and harms to individual and society, looking at consequences not just individual
What comprises ethics?
Principles
Values
Honesty
Standards
What is morality?
Our attitudes, behaviours and relations to one another
Define consequentialism
the moral worth of an action is determined by its outcome
What is deontology?
That the morality of an action should be determined by wether it is right or wrong, not by its consequences
What is utilitarianism?
One type of consequentialism stating that only the consequences of an action determine if it is right or wrong
What are the four ethical principles?
Autonomy
Justice
Beneficence
Non-maleficence
Why is confidentiality important?
It is the basis of trust
Describe the duty of candour
Must be open and honest with patients when something goes wrong with their care or treatment and causes, or has the potential to cause, harm/distress
You must apologise to the patient and offer an appropriate remedy or support to put matters right (if possible) and explain fully the short and long term effects of what has happened
Why is confidentiality important?
It is the basis of trust
Patients may avoid seeking help if they think their personal info may be disclosed
What are the four domains of the Good Medical Practice document?
- Knowledge, skills and performance
- Safety and quality
- Communication, partnership and teamwork
- Maintaining trust
Describe confidentiality in legal terms
It is based on the law of contract and equity
Breach of confidentiality constitutes a breach of contract
Describe the common law with regards to confidentiality
Information acquired by doctors in a professional capacity generally confidential under common law
This means a doctor must not disclose confidential information unless there is a legal basis for doing so
Describe the GDPR in terms of healthcare
Healthcare info likely to be considered special category data, meaning in info sharing at least one Article 9 Condition needs to be met
- data subject has given explicit consent
- processing necessary to protect vital interests of data subject where incapable of giving consent
- processing necessary for reasons of substantial public interest
- processing necessary for reasons public interest in area of public health
- processing necessary for purposes of scientific or historical research purposes/statistical purposes
When can confidentiality be breached?
With patient consent
With other medical practitioner’s in patient interest
In doctor’s own defence
Statutory requirement; prevention, detection and prosecution serious crime
When directed to by a court of law
Protection of other persons
In public interest
Child abuse
What are caldicott guardians?
Senior people in NHS, local authority social care and partner organisations responsible for protecting the confidentiality of patient information and enabling appropriate information sharing
Describe regulation of doctors
GMC is the professions regulator
It is regulated by the Professional Standards Authority
The GMC is responsible for producing the medical register and overseeing and certifying the appropriateness of medical education
Describe reasons for disciplinary procedures of employers
Terms and conditions of service Appraisal Job planning Time keeping Absence
Describe complaints made to the GMC
Anyone can make a complaint
This complaint considered by case workers
May be passed onto case examiners; investigate if your “honesty and probity” are in question
Cases are heard by MPTS and various sanctions can be imposed
What is the MPTS
Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service
