Medical Ethics: Non-Maleficence Principle
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Questions and Answers

What is the potential outcome if Mr.D. refuses to undergo surgery?

  • He will have to accept higher health risks
  • He will die without the surgery (correct)
  • He will survive with a minor health issue
  • He will have to tell his wife

    • Why might Mr.D. be hesitant to undergo surgery?

  • He is afraid of upsetting his wife
  • He has pressing business obligations
  • He is afraid of surgery
  • All of the above (correct)

    • What is important to do when discussing Mr.D.'s condition with him?

  • Use clear and unambiguous language to avoid misinterpretation (correct)
  • Downplay the risks of not undergoing surgery
  • Avoid discussing the seriousness of his condition
  • Use ambiguous language to avoid upsetting him

    • What should Dr.C. do after explaining the situation to Mr.D.?

    <p>Refrain from any form of coercion and let Mr.D. decide</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What might the surgery represent to Mr.D.?

    <p>An undesirable loss of control</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why is it important to directly acknowledge and address Mr.D.'s concerns?

    <p>To facilitate a decision for the surgery</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What kind of language should be used when discussing Mr.D.'s condition?

    <p>Clear and unambiguous language to avoid misinterpretation</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is Dr.C.'s obligation in this situation?

    <p>To attempt to persuade Mr.D. due to a fiduciary obligation</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary concern of Dr. C. regarding Mr. D.'s request to delay surgery?

    <p>The potential harm of delaying surgery</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main ethical issue in this scenario?

    <p>Ensuring the doctor's duty to prevent harm</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the doctor's obligation regarding Mr. D.'s request?

    <p>To prevent harm to Mr. D.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What should the doctor try to determine first in this scenario?

    <p>If Mr. D. is aware of the dangers of not having surgery</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the doctor's role in this scenario?

    <p>To prevent harm to Mr. D.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the potential consequence if Mr. D. delays surgery?

    <p>Mr. D. may die or suffer serious harm</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the doctor's ultimate goal in this scenario?

    <p>To prevent harm to Mr. D.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What should the doctor try to do in this scenario?

    <p>Educate Mr. D. about the risks of delaying surgery</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a major factor in determining outcomes in medicine?

    <p>Biological variability</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why might Dr. C suggest that Mr. D see another doctor?

    <p>To provide a second opinion and increase certainty in prognostication</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is Dr. C's greatest concern if Mr. D delays the bypass?

    <p>Mr. D's endangering his own life</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who might be an ally in persuading Mr. D to act more safely?

    <p>A family member, such as Mrs. D</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Under what circumstances might Dr. C breach confidentiality?

    <p>If Mr. D's life is in imminent danger</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why is it important for Dr. C to respect Mr. D's autonomy?

    <p>To respect Mr. D's right to make decisions about his own health</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main challenge in prognostication in medicine?

    <p>Lack of certainty due to biological variability</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What should Dr. C remain if Mr. D continues to make a bad choice?

    <p>Compassionate and respectful</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the core principle of the Hippocratic Oath that a physician must follow?

    <p>To never use treatment to injure or wrong patients</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the term for the principle of doing no harm in medical practice?

    <p>Non-maleficence</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary obligation of a physician, according to the course objectives?

    <p>To do no harm to the patient</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the Latin phrase that translates to 'Above All (or First) Do no Harm'?

    <p>Primum non nocere</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the term for the opposite of non-maleficence?

    <p>Maleficence</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is an example of a violation of the principle of non-maleficence?

    <p>A doctor killing patients through lethal injection</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the relationship between the physician's responsibility and the principle of non-maleficence?

    <p>The physician's responsibility is to do no harm to the patient</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What should a physician do when a patient does not approve of their treatment decision?

    <p>Respect the patient's autonomy and decision</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What might Dr. C do if Mr. D refuses to undergo bypass surgery?

    <p>Seek consultation with wise friends, spiritual counselors, or an ethics committee</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of obtaining informed consent?

    <p>To ensure the patient understands the risks and consequences of a procedure</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why might Dr. C have Mr. D sign an 'against medical advice' document?

    <p>To ensure Mr. D understands the risks of not undergoing the procedure</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is inherent in the practice of the medical profession?

    <p>Harm</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What might be the consequence of administering a toxic chemotherapy to a patient with a brain tumor?

    <p>Harm to the patient</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why are principles of medical ethics not absolute?

    <p>Because each case has unique circumstances and considerations</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of an ethics consult?

    <p>To assist the doctor in resolving an ethical dilemma</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does 'informed refusal' refer to?

    <p>A patient's decision to refuse a procedure with full understanding of the risks and consequences</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Non-Maleficence

    • Non-maleficence is the principle of not causing harm to patients.
    • It is a moral obligation for doctors to prevent harm and avoid actions that could cause harm to patients.

    Primum Non Nocere

    • "Primum non nocere" is a Latin phrase that means "above all, do no harm" or "at least, do no harm."
    • This phrase is part of the Hippocratic Oath, which physicians take to promise to do no harm to their patients.

    Physician's Obligation

    • A physician's obligation is a course of action that is required to take, whether legal or moral.
    • The prohibition of disablement and killing is a fundamental aspect of a physician's obligation.
    • Examples of violating this obligation include treatment blinding, killing patients, and giving harmful medicines.

    Case Study: Mr. D.

    • Mr. D. is a patient who refuses to undergo surgery for his heart condition, despite the doctor's warnings.
    • The doctor, Dr. C, tries to persuade Mr. D. to undergo surgery, but Mr. D. is hesitant due to his business obligations.
    • The doctor's dilemma is to balance respect for Mr. D.'s autonomy with the need to prevent harm to Mr. D.

    Ethical Considerations

    • Respect for the patient's personal wishes and values is essential, but so is preventing harm to the patient.
    • The doctor must consider issues of decision-making, competency, autonomy, coercion, persuasion, and confidentiality.
    • In cases where the patient is behaving dangerously, the doctor should try to determine if the patient is aware of the dangers and has decisional capacity.

    Communication and Persuasion

    • The doctor should use clear and unambiguous language to explain the risks and consequences of not undergoing surgery.
    • The doctor may need to persuade the patient to undergo surgery, but the line between persuasion and coercion may not be clear.
    • The doctor should try to find an ally, such as a family member, to help persuade the patient to act more safely.

    Confidentiality and Breach of Confidentiality

    • Confidentiality is essential in the patient-physician relationship, but there may be situations where breaching confidentiality is necessary to save a life.
    • The doctor may need to warn the patient's family or loved ones of the dangers of the patient's decision.
    • Informed consent is essential before undertaking potentially harmful procedures or medical therapies.
    • The doctor should also ensure that the patient is fully informed about the risks of not having a procedure done.
    • Informed refusal is also important, and the doctor should make sure that the patient is fully informed about the risks and consequences of their decision.

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    Description

    Explore the doctor's obligation to avoid harm to patients, ethical rules, and case variations in medical practice.

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