Medical Ethics & Professionalism Flashcards

Which ethical principle is most relevant when a patient refuses life-saving treatment due to personal beliefs?

Answer: Autonomy

Autonomy is the ethical principle that respects an individual's right to make their own decisions about their medical care, free from coercion. When a patient refuses life-saving treatment due to personal beliefs, even if healthcare providers believe it's in their best interest, the principle of autonomy dictates that their informed decision must be respected. This principle underscores the patient's right to self-determination.

What is the primary purpose of obtaining informed consent?

Answer: To ensure the patient understands the procedure and its implications

Informed consent is a fundamental ethical and legal principle in medicine. Its primary purpose is to empower patients by ensuring they receive and understand sufficient information about a proposed treatment, including risks, benefits, and alternatives. This allows them to make an autonomous and well-considered decision about their healthcare, respecting their right to self-determination.

A colleague is impaired by alcohol while on duty. What is the most appropriate action?

Answer: Report the colleague to the appropriate authority

When a colleague is impaired by alcohol while on duty, it poses a severe risk to patient safety and violates professional ethics. The most appropriate and responsible action is to report them to the relevant authority, such as a supervisor, medical director, or hospital administration. This prioritizes patient safety, ensures proper intervention, and allows the impaired colleague to receive necessary support.

Which of the following violates patient confidentiality?

Answer: Sharing medical records with a patient's employer without consent

Patient confidentiality is a cornerstone of medical ethics and is legally protected by regulations like HIPAA. Sharing medical records with a patient's employer without their explicit consent constitutes a clear violation of this confidentiality. Medical information should only be disclosed to third parties with the patient's permission or when legally mandated, safeguarding patient privacy.

What is the ethical justification for allocating scarce medical resources (e.g., ventilators) during a pandemic?

Answer: Maximizing the number of lives saved

In situations of scarce medical resources, such as ventilators during a pandemic, the ethical justification for allocation often centers on utilitarian principles. This approach aims to maximize overall public good by saving the greatest number of lives possible. This typically involves criteria that prioritize patients with the highest likelihood of survival and benefit from the intervention, ensuring resources are used effectively.

A patient with decisional capacity requests to discontinue chemotherapy. What should the physician do?

Answer: Respect the patient's decision and document thoroughly

A patient with decisional capacity has the autonomous right to refuse medical treatment, even if it could be life-saving. The physician's ethical duty is to respect this decision, ensure the patient fully understands the implications of their choice, and document the discussion thoroughly. Coercing treatment or seeking court orders against a capacitated patient's wishes violates their fundamental right to autonomy.

Which scenario constitutes a boundary violation in a physician-patient relationship?

Answer: Accepting a expensive gift from a patient

Accepting an expensive gift from a patient constitutes a boundary violation in a physician-patient relationship. Such actions can compromise professional objectivity, create a sense of obligation, or exploit the inherent power imbalance in the relationship. Maintaining clear professional boundaries is crucial for ethical practice, preserving patient trust, and ensuring unbiased care.

What is the primary ethical duty of a physician when a medical error occurs?

Answer: Disclose the error to the patient and team

The primary ethical duty of a physician when a medical error occurs is to disclose the error to the patient and the healthcare team. This promotes transparency, maintains trust, and allows for appropriate management of any adverse outcomes. Open communication is essential for patient safety, ethical practice, and learning from mistakes to prevent future occurrences.

Which action aligns with the principle of justice in healthcare?

Answer: Allocating vaccines based on medical need, not ability to pay

The principle of justice in healthcare dictates that resources and care should be distributed fairly and equitably. Allocating vaccines based on medical need, rather than socioeconomic status or ability to pay, directly aligns with this principle. It ensures that those who are most vulnerable or at highest risk receive necessary interventions, promoting fairness and reducing health disparities.