4 Ethical Principles

Question 0

What are the 4 ethical principles?

Answer 0

1) Autonomy
2) Beneficence
3) Non-Maleficence
4) Justice

Question 1

Who defined the 4 ethical principles?

Answer 1

Beauchamp and Childress

Question 2

What is Autonomy?

Answer 2

• Respect for the individuals ability to make their own decisions to their life, future and health
• Each individual has personal freedom and is free from limitations

Two Elements:
1) Liberty: Person is free from external control and influence
(Free of influence from family, friends and medical staff)

2) Agency: Assumption of capacity for independent action and the intention to act in a certain way

Question 3

What is Beneficence?

Answer 3

Activities which are intended to benefit the patient.

Act of doing good and preventing harm.

Question 4

What is Non-Maleficence?

Answer 4

• “First to do no harm”
• Duty to do no harm
• Provide non medical benefits to patients to minimise harm

Question 5

What is Justice?

Answer 5

Concept of fair treatment and implies freedom from discrimination and dishonesty.

• Patients in similar situations should normally have access to the same health care
• In determining what level of health care should be available for one set of patients, we must take into account the effect of the use of resources on other patients (distribute limited resources fairly)

Question 6

What is used when the four ethical principles conflict with each other?

Answer 6

Prima Facie

Question 7

What is Prima Facie?

Answer 7

• Used when there is a clash between the four ethical principles

“In any specific situation, where there is a clash between different duties we have to decide in the light of the circumstances whether it is morally more important to follow one duty over another”

• On first examination, matter seems to be evident from facts
  (On first appearance - at face value)
• Accept something on face value

If something is prima facie wrong, then it is wrong on face value.

Question 8

What are the seven prima facie duties?

Answer 8

1) Fidelity: Keep ones promises and contracts
2) Reparation
3) Gratitude
4) Non Injury
5) Beneficence
6) Self improvement
7) Justice

Question 9

Examples of Prima Facie?

Answer 9

• Autonomy VS Beneficence:
  A competent patient chooses a course of action that is not in their best interests
• Beneficence VS Non-Maleficence
  When considering a certain drug that relieves pain but shortens life expectancy
• Beneficence VS Non-Maleficence VS Justice
  Two patients require the same organ transplant. One of them is a smoker