L15. Ethical Responsibilities for Medical Students

Question 1

What is meant by “social permission”?

Answer 1

Doctors (and medical students) are allowed to act in ways that other people are not

• touch people
• cut and cause pain
• ask personal question
• administer poisons

Question 2

What three general factors contribute to the special ethical situation of doctors?

Answer 2

1. Have power over the patient
2. Have privilege in society (social permission and self regulation and professional autonomy)
3. Re-inforce by law

Question 3

Why are explicit ethical principles needed for doctors?

Answer 3

There is a vulnerability inherent in the patients position (not level)
To counter the negative aspects of the culture of medicine:
- lack of empathy, disregard and contempt

Question 4

What are the 5 basic ethical principles?

Answer 4

1. Beneficence (provide help, do good)
2. Non-maleficence (do not cause or allow harm)
3. Respect for autonomy (informed consent)
4. Respect for privacy (confidentiality)
5. Justice (equality, fairness, non-discriminant)

Question 5

Obligations and Non-harm and Benefit: can medical students harm and help?

Answer 5

Yes , they can do both

Often not intentional to do harm

Question 6

Does informed consent apply to medical students?

Answer 6

Yes it does.
Patient must be willing and knowing of what it entails
Doctors responsibility to ask

Question 7

What is meant by confidentiality?

Answer 7

A doctor mustn’t disclose information about a patient to any other person without the consent of the patient.

Question 8

Does disclosing information to other health workers count as a breach of confidentiality?

Answer 8

Depends: if you de-identify
For health workers directly involved in cases (nurses, routine consultations etc) - is NOT considered breach because it is implied consent

Question 9

What aspects are important to remember in medical education and patients?

Answer 9

1. Learning from/on patients: student benefits a lot vs. patient benefits little
2. Talking about patients must be respectful, purposed for learning and non-identifying

Question 10

What is the difference between moral confusion and moral distress?

Answer 10

Confusion: feeling unsure of what is right to do and not knowing how to resolve it
Distress: feeling unable to do what you think is right and compelled to do what you think is wrong

Question 11

How do you deal with moral confusion and distress?

Answer 11

Acknowledge and think about feelings of discomfort
Gather more information
Discuss with peers
Seek advice from staff
consider whether further action is warranted