Topic 1: ethics/law + professionalism Flashcards
(25 cards)
Define law
- Set of rules = regulate human conduct
- Imposes penealties for rule breaking + remedies for those harmed
- Societies = follow legal system BUT distinct legal traditions
3 main legal traditions
1) Common law = english speaking countries = based on judicial decison + precedents rather than written law
2) Civil law = continental + former french colonies = based on comprehensive wriiten codes rather than case law
3) Islamic law = Islamic principles derived from religious text + interpretations
Describe principal sources of law
- Statutes = legislation by parliament
- E.g. Health service organisation + reguation of health professionals
- Judge-made law/case law = judges create legal rules based on case decisions
Describe international law
- EU + EU Convention on human rights
- Not binding like principal law but countries may adopt it
5 types of law in healthcare
1) Contract law
2) Criminal law
3) Tort law
4) Family law
5) Medical law
Define contract law
- Based on contracts between parties
- Structured promise
- E.g. agrees to pay for doctor’s services in exchange for appropriate care
Define criminal law
- Rarely applies to medical error
- Most cases = manslaugher NOT murder = intent to harm not there
- Medical manslaughter = professionals actions/omissions = death
Define tort law
- Negligence = healthcare provider fail tp meet expected standard of care to patient
Define family law
- In cases of treatment of minors
Medical law
- New + continously evolving
- Before = healthcare less structures + stricly reguated
- Now = more patient centered + autonmy focused
What are some past examples of health scandals?
- Nazi Dr megeles experiments
- Bristol scandal pediatric heart surgery
- Harold Shipman murderer
- Organ retention scandal
What is the impact of health scandals?
- Shift in public perception of medicine
- Reorganization of medical training
- Increased regulation = trust + accountability
Why does regulation matter?
- Transparency + accountibility
- Healthcare appawy from paternalism> patient centered care
Describe the multi-level regulation in health care
1) Personal regulation: own ethical commitment + moral integrity
- Hippocratic oath + GMC
2) Team bases regulation: team accountability + responsibility for colleagues performances + conduct
3) Professional self-regulation: GMC oversees standards
- NHS + other bodies ensure compliance
4) Work based regulation: institutional policies + legislation
Explain why we don’t just choose the law
- Understanding ethics = interprest + understand the significance of law
- Law may not offer clear instructions for grey areas where ethical principles can
- Developing ethical reasoning = evaluate + address challenges
- Understanding ethics = recognize legal limitations
Key aspects of being a doctor
- Prioritize patient well-being
- Maintain competence + life-ling learning
- Uphold confidentiality + informed consent
- Demonstrate honesty/integrity/respect
GMC rules for professionalism
- Knowledge + skill development
- Patient + partnership + communication
- Colleagues + culture + saftey
- Maintaining trust
What are some international codes?
1) Decleration of Geneva = WMA oldest policy = modern Hippocratic oath
2) Interational code of medical ethics = WMA developed as ethical principles for professionals worldwide
Define ethics
- Human conduct
- Code of what is right/wrong
Compare morality vs ethics
- Ethics is knowing morality is doing
MORALITY: - Value of dimension of behaviour
- Adhering to specific belief system
ETHICS: - How person should act in an acceptable way
- Based on values + reasoning
- Rules that form moral codes about right/wrong
Define bioethics
- Ethical issues from development in medicine + biotech + scientific advancements
Define medical ethics
- Concerned with practice of medicine + doctor/patient interactions
Core values for medicine
- Compassion
- Competence
- Autonomy
Describe the contemporary challenges of the Hippocratic oath
- Was written to prevent self-interested doctors from harming patients
- Goes against abortion + physician assisted suicide + destruction of left over IVF embryos
