Medical Ethics & Professionalism Flashcards

A physician discovers that a colleague is practicing while drunk. The physician's ethical obligation is to:

Answer: Report the situation to the relevant authority to protect patient safety

Protecting patient safety takes precedence over professional loyalty; the physician has an ethical and legal obligation to report a potentially impaired colleague to the appropriate authority (chief of medical staff, MOHAP).

The principle of justice in healthcare requires:

Answer: Fair distribution of resources based on need and equity

Justice in healthcare demands equitable distribution of resources and services based on patients' needs and medical priorities, without discrimination based on social status, nationality, or ability to pay.

Under UAE law, a minor patient (under 21) must have consent obtained from:

Answer: Parent or legal guardian

Under UAE law, informed consent for medical procedures involving minors must be obtained from a parent or legal guardian, as minors are not legally empowered to provide independent consent.

In the UAE, patient medical records are considered:

Answer: Confidential documents owned by the facility but accessible to the patient upon request

Medical records are maintained by the healthcare facility as confidential documents; patients have the right to access their own records upon request, but access by third parties requires consent or legal authorization.

Which behavior constitutes professional misconduct under UAE healthcare regulations?

Answer: Sexual harassment of a patient

Sexual harassment of a patient constitutes serious professional misconduct and is a violation of professional ethics, patient rights, and UAE law, carrying potential criminal charges and license revocation.

The concept of 'best interests' standard in surrogate decision-making requires the surrogate to:

Answer: Attempt to make decisions the patient would have made; if unknown, choose what promotes the patient's welfare

The best interests standard requires surrogates to first attempt to follow the patient's previously expressed wishes (substituted judgment) or, when unknown, to make decisions that promote the patient's overall welfare and wellbeing.